The Lodging Conference 2026 Speakers

JoAnna is a recognized global leader in sustainable design, purchasing and communications solutions for the hospitality industry. As the CEO of MindClick, she leads delivery of Product Intelligence™ solutions to transform sustainability investments into competitive advantages that drive measurable business performance. Combining over 20 years of experience in brand strategy, data analytics, supply chain, and sustainability, she is the visionary leader empowering MindClick customers with turning their sustainability initiatives into growth drivers and market differentiators. JoAnna has been recognized by the UN World Tourism Organization as a leading voice in sustainable tourism, named a hospitality industry innovator by Lodging Magazine, and recognized by Wharton’s Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership, Cornell’s Hospitality Research Summit, and the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council. She is a frequent speaker on the topics of ESG, sustainability and supply chain, and the power of ratings to accelerate change. JoAnna holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in finance from the University of Illinois.

Omer Acar holds degrees from Hotel Institute Montreux and Hawaii Pacific University, and successfully completed Cornell's Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management certificate program. Omer is an eminent specialist in luxury hospitality. He started his career at Four Seasons in various operational positions at several hotels in the United States and Egypt. He moved to Harrods in England as Group Director of Food & Beverage in 2005, was appointed General Manager of the Ritz in Paris in 2006, then moved to the Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris in the same capacity in 2011. He joined Katara Hospitality in 2014 as Managing Director for Europe and the Americas, where he supervised 18 hotels including The Plaza in New York, Peninsula in Paris, Carlton in Cannes, Excelsior in Rome, Grosvenor House and The Savoy in London. In March 2023, Omer joined Accor as CEO Raffles & Orient Express and serves as a member of the Group’s Luxury & Lifestyle Executive Committee. Based in New York City, Omer also has the responsibility of representing Accor on the North American market and is now CEO Raffles and Fairmont.

Mark S. Adams is a seasoned trial lawyer with extensive experience in complex commercial disputes, including multi-party litigation and class actions. He has tried numerous cases in state and federal courts, as well as in domestic and international arbitrations. In a single year, he secured two of California’s top 50 largest jury verdicts. Mark has taken or defended nearly 1,000 depositions across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and his trial victories have been featured in Forbes, Reuters, and Life Science Weekly. He has also been recognized by The Wall Street Journal as an authority on noncompete agreements. Mark’s practice focuses on business litigation, including contract disputes, corporate and partnership matters, and high-stakes shareholder and investment conflicts. He represents real estate developers and investors and has significant experience in the hospitality sector. He has successfully handled disputes involving long-term hotel management and franchise agreements, fiduciary duty claims, and investor-owner conflicts. Widely regarded as a leader in hotel litigation, Mark has represented hundreds of hotel owners in disputes with major brands such as Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Fairmont, and Choice, as well as a leading independent hotel management company. A frequent author and lecturer, Mark shares his insights on litigation strategy in the United States and Europe. He also dedicates over 200 hours annually to pro bono and community service efforts.

Glenn Alba is an established real estate and hotel investor with more than 25 years of institutional investing experience across all types of commercial real estate in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Western Europe. As Co-Founder and Managing Member, he brings significant expertise in financing, asset management, valuations and dispositions of real estate, having personally handled more than $4 billion of hotel asset sales. Alba’s exceptional career includes a 20-year tenure with Blackstone Real Estate, one of the largest buyers, sellers and managers of commercial real estate in the world with Real Estate Assets Under Management of $111.3 billion at the time of his departure. During his tenure, Alba served as Head of Global Portfolio Management and led the Asset Management of Blackstone Real Estate hotel investments in the United States. Prior to co-founding TMGOC Ventures, Alba founded and served as CEO of Opterra Capital, a real estate investment sponsor and operating partner, capital markets advisor and asset management firm. Alba is an accomplished industry executive and serves as a Board Member for Aimbridge Hospitality, Inc. having previously served on CorePoint Lodging Inc. (NYSE: CPLG) and La Quinta Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LQ).

As Avendra International's Vice President, Client Relations, Heather Altieri leads the strategy and execution of account management initiatives that strengthen and sustain high value partnerships across the hospitality sector. In this role, Ms. Altieri shapes the overall client engagement framework, ensuring that Avendra's diverse portfolio of hospitality customers receive the strategic guidance, procurement support, and operational insights needed to achieve their business objectives.

Mr. Amin started his career at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he advised public and private technology companies on merger and acquisition transactions and capital markets activities. He currently has overall responsibility for over 75 hotels owned and operated by Shamin Hotels, the largest hotel owner and operator in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, Mr. Amin oversees the operations of Shamin’s Assisted Living and Dementia facilities in Virginia. During his tenure at Shamin Hotels, the company has received numerous awards and recognitions, including Developer of the Year from Intercontinental Hotels Group, in addition to the Multi-Brand Developer of the Year and the New Build/Adaptive Reuse of the Year from Hilton Hotels. Mr. Amin has also been repeatedly recognized as one of the Fifty Most Influential Virginians by Virginia Business and received Hilton’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. Mr. Amin graduated summa cum laude from The Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, completing his B.S. in Economics and MBA. He currently serves as the past chairman of the board of Richmond Region Tourism and serves on the boards of the Community Foundation, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, the Virginia Community Development Corporation, Venture Richmond, the Virginia Council on Economic Education, and the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. Additionally, Mr. Amin serves on the Treasury Board of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates at the pleasure of the Governor of Virginia.

Ryan Amin is a Principal at Giri Hotels, a New England-based owner-operator with a portfolio of more than 50 properties spanning independent resorts, soft brands, and select-service hotels. He began his career at his family's first property, a foundation that built deep operational fluency from the ground up. He purchased his first hotel in 2009 and joined as a partner in 2018, scaling the firm alongside co-principals Ashish Sangani and Sagar Malavia. Under their collaborative ownership model, Giri has pursued a deliberate acquisition strategy focused on complex, character-driven assets, including independent coastal resorts like the Anchorage by the Sea and a growing collection of soft-branded properties. Ryan's particular focus is on the investment and management calculus that makes non-branded and soft-branded assets perform: when brand affiliation creates long-term value, and when independent agility is the competitive edge. A Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduate in Management Information Systems, Ryan brings a data-driven approach to revenue strategy and technology deployment, with a firm conviction that high-touch guest experience and operational efficiency are not trade-offs. He is an active voice in the conversation about how independent owners can compete at scale, and what it actually takes to protect asset value and identity across a diverse, growing portfolio.

Satya Anand is the Group President for the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean & Latin America and is accountable for developing and managing Marriott International's hotel portfolio in the region, which comprises nearly 7,000 hotels in 40 countries and territories. Mr. Anand began his career with Marriott International in 1988 and most recently served as President, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), where he had oversight of 30 brands in 81 countries. Prior to that, he was Chief Operations Officer, Luxury & Southern Europe and Global Design EMEA, since July 2016, where he was responsible for the overall operations of the luxury portfolio in Europe and the complete portfolio of brands in Southern Europe as well as leading the Global Design team. Mr. Anand also previously served as Europe’s Chief Financial Officer for four years and held Area Vice President roles for Western and Central Europe, respectively, as well as various Cluster General Manager, operations and finance positions both on and above property. Educated primarily in Bangalore, India, Mr. Anand holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bangalore’s MES College of Commerce (1982-1985) and in 1988 completed his diploma in Hotel and Tourism Management from the Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management in Semmering, Austria. Mr. Anand is a member of the International Advisory Board of the EHL Business Hospitality and Business Management School in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Renee Bagshaw is CEO of Continental Contractors, a national hospitality renovation general contractor focused on luxury and upper-upscale hotel repositioning. She leads strategy, operations, and client engagement, delivering complex renovations within active hotel environments. With more than two decades in hospitality construction, Renee works with owners, developers, and operators to align scope, budget, and execution, reducing risk and improving project outcomes. She is known for her practical, execution-focused perspective and ability to connect investment decisions with real-world delivery. Renee is an active industry speaker and advisor, contributing to conversations around renovation strategy and owner-contractor alignment.

John Barrar serves as Senior Vice President of Technology Strategy and Innovation at Sandpiper Hospitality, where he leads enterprise technology strategy, innovation, and operational systems supporting a nationwide portfolio of extended-stay hotels. In his role, John is responsible for aligning technology investments with business strategy, modernizing hotel and corporate systems, and driving scalable solutions that improve owner returns, associate productivity, and guest experience. His work spans infrastructure, cybersecurity, property technology ecosystems, business intelligence, and the responsible adoption of AI across hospitality operations. John works closely with executive leadership, brand partners, and technology vendors to guide new hotel openings, conversions, and portfolio-wide initiatives while maintaining rigorous standards for compliance, reliability, and operational excellence. Known for a pragmatic and collaborative leadership style, he focuses on translating emerging technologies into measurable business outcomes for owners and operators. At The Lodging Conference, John brings a practitioner’s perspective on how hospitality organizations can balance innovation with operational realities, modernize legacy processes, and prepare their technology foundations for the next decade of growth.

Bernard Baumohl is Chief Global Economist at The Economic Outlook Group. He is well known for being ahead of the curve in assessing the direction of the U.S. and world economy. The Wall Street Journal has twice recognized him (2019 & 2025) as the nation’s top economic forecaster. Mr. Baumohl began his career with the Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank specializing in international affairs and national security. He later served as senior economist at European American Bank with responsibilities to monitor the global economy. Mr. Baumohl was also an award-winning journalist with TIME magazine who covered the White House, Federal Reserve and Wall Street. He is the author of an international best seller, The Secrets of Economic Indicators: Hidden Clues to Future Economic Trends and Investment Opportunities. The book is in its 3rd edition and has been translated into multiple languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and German. A sought out speaker with an ability to translate complex economic concepts into plain English, Mr. Baumohl frequently makes keynote presentations before conferences, corporate boards and legislatures on the economic and geopolitical outlook. He has lectured at NYU, Duke University and Florida Gulf Coast University, and served as a regular commentator on TV's Nightly Business Report. Mr. Baumohl is a member of the Wall Street Journal Economic Forecast Panel and his projections on the economy and geopolitical risks are frequently cited in the news media. He holds an M.A. in International Affairs and Economics from Columbia University.

Alan Benjamin, ISHC, is founder of Benjamin West, the world’s leading hospitality FF&E and OS&E purchasing firm based in Boulder, with additional offices in Chicago, Dallas, Maryland, and London. Benjamin West provides purchasing and consulting services across 40 countries and six territories. Mr. Benjamin became a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) in 2000, and in partnership with the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA), he assisted the organization in determining the FF&E budgets for ISHC’s CapEx 2000 Study, then later co-chaired the CapEx Studies in 2007, 2014, & 2018, and served on the 2023 committee. He was honored to receive the ISHC Chuck Pinkowski Member Service Award in 2015 for his dedication to ISHC. Alan has been published in The Wall Street Journal, CoStar, Hotel Investment Today, and other industry media. His speaking engagements include all the major industry conferences. He currently holds membership with the ULI Hotel Development Council and is an Advisory Board member for the ALIS Design+ Conference. Alan also serves on the non-profit Hospitality Cares Advisory Board, and formerly served as a board member for Gifts-In-Kind International, now Good360. Mr. Benjamin graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Colorado, College of Business.

Gilad Berenstein is an Israeli-born AI entrepreneur, board director, and venture capital investor based in Seattle. He leads Brook Bay Capital, the first AI-focused fund dedicated to the travel, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors. Gilad serves on numerous boards across both traditional businesses and high-growth startups, including Virtuoso, Faye, Mindtrip, and ResortPass. Gilad is passionate about travel, hospitality, and experiential consumer businesses and brings a deep background in artificial intelligence and personalization. In addition to his board and advisory work, he is a trusted mentor and strategic advisor to leaders across many of the world’s largest consumer brands in travel, hospitality, and retail, as well as to private equity and institutional investors focused on these industries. Gilad’s fascination with AI began early, listening to his father—an AI pioneer in the 1990s—discuss emerging technologies at home. Today, he is widely recognized as a leading thinker, writer, and speaker on how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and economies. His work explores themes such as the “Great Commoditization of AI,” the rise of dynamic products, and the growing role of personalization and intelligent systems in modern business. Gilad began his entrepreneurial journey while still in college. He later founded and served as CEO of Utrip, one of the first AI trip-planning companies, launched in 2011. He frequently speaks at major global technology and industry events. Outside of work, Gilad enjoys spending time with his young family, traveling, exploring great food, practicing yoga, studying history, and reflecting on the philosophy of AI.

Joe Berger, President & CEO, BRE Hotels & Resorts, a non-listed real estate investment trust focused on the ownership of upscale, extended-stay and select-service hotels that generate attractive returns for stakeholders. Mr. Berger is responsible for the operations functions of 200 hotels, containing a total of 33,000 guestrooms diversified among attractive markets, providing unmatched seamless solutions that propel our entrepreneurial clients to transcend local, national and global markets. Mr. Berger served as Executive Vice President & President, Americas for Hilton responsible for the operations functions of over 350 corporately managed Hilton hotels and Hilton Grand Vacation Resorts throughout North, Central and South America. Mr. Berger also served as Co-President of LXR Luxury Resorts and Hotels as well as President of Prime Hotels, which operated AmeriSuites, Wellsly Inns, and independent full-service hotels. Earlier in his career, Mr. Berger served as Managing Director of St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco and previously held positions as Area Managing Director Northeast for Starwood Hotels & Resorts as well as General Manager of both the Westin William Penn in Pittsburgh and the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. He has also worked internationally with Marriott Hotels and Resorts.

Suraj is the CEO of NewGen Advisory and the Chief Legal Officer of NewGen Worldwide where he oversees legal, regulatory, and corporate governance matters. A member of the senior leadership team, he plays a key role in operational management, strategic planning, and investment strategies, while also leading business administration for NewGen Advisory. Suraj initially served as outside counsel for NewGen Worldwide and Green Card Fund from 2008 to 2014 before joining as CLO. Previously, he was managing partner at Bhakta & Associates, PLLC, specializing in acquisitions, corporate structuring, franchise law, and financing. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Suraj earned his B.S. in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. He now lives in Peoria, AZ, with his wife, Neena, and their two sons, Shiv and Soham.

Laura Lee Blake, Esq., serves as the President & CEO of AAHOA, the world's largest hotel owners association, with 20,000 members who own 60 percent of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation's GDP. A highly accomplished attorney with over 25 years of experience, Blake served as a partner at Connor, Fletcher, and Hedenkamp LLP in Irvine, CA, before joining AAHOA. Blake brings decades of experience in law, government, business, and academia to AAHOA. Blake previously worked for AAHOA for nearly 10 years, from 2005 to 2014, as General Counsel & Vice President of Fair Franchising and Government Affairs. As President and CEO, Blake is focused on promoting fair franchising and franchise advocacy, evaluating the franchisor-franchisee relationship to improve ROI, and educating members on the legal aspects of their franchise agreements. Blake also prioritizes legislative advocacy strategies and alliances with supporters of the travel industry. Blake's passion is to serve women and children in poverty-stricken areas of the world, and she has traveled to several third-world countries to raise awareness and make an impact. Blake earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies with Highest Distinction from the University of Iowa and her J.D. Law Degree with High Distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Barry A.N. Bloom, Ph.D. is President and Chief Operating Officer of Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust. Additionally, he currently is an adjunct faculty member at Florida International University. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Bloom served as an Associate Professor of the Practice in the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University. From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Bloom co-founded and was a Principal of Abacus Lodging Investors LLC. Previously, Mr. Bloom was Executive Vice President of Portfolio Management & Administration with CNL Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and prior to CNL, he served as Vice President – Investment Management for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. In addition, Mr. Bloom has worked for Tishman Hotel & Realty, VMS Realty Partners, and Pannell Kerr Forster (now CBRE Hotels). Mr. Bloom received his B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management as well as an MBA from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Hospitality Management from Iowa State University.

Jon Bloomberg is a real estate and hospitality entrepreneur, having held advisory and leadership roles with companies that reflect the values and aspirations of the creative community. In 2021, Jon and his partners founded Left Lane Development, a vertically integrated real estate development company. The firm, which is headquartered in New York City, aims to create enduring, differentiated environments by converting underutilized assets, such as Class B office buildings, into unique hospitality experiences. Left Lane operates its own brands, including Hotel Bardo and the upcoming Recess Hotel & Club, and partners with third-party operator Highgate for management while maintaining control over design and development. The company’s founding partners, including Jon Kully, Ash Shaaban, Andy Bernard, and Jon Bloomberg, all graduated from Colgate University.

Vamsi Bonthala is co-founder of Arbor Lodging and CEO of its investment arm, Arbor Lodging Partners. Vamsi has overseen more than $1 billion of transaction volume since the inception of Arbor Lodging, where he leads all company initiatives including general corporate strategy and growth, investor relations, strategic relationships, acquisitions, dispositions, and asset management. Prior to co-founding Arbor Lodging, Vamsi practiced law in the Private Equity group of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and the Real Estate group of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Vamsi earned his AB in Economics and Political Science from the University of Michigan, where he received Class Honors and University Honors, and his JD from the University of Michigan Law School. Vamsi has been a speaker at numerous industry events and is a board member of World Business Chicago, and a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), the AHLA Hospitality Investment Roundtable, the Economic Club of Chicago, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Vamsi also serves on the Michigan Economics Leadership Council and the University of Michigan Chicago Campaign Council. Vamsi was previously selected as an Emerging Leader by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and recognized as one of Real Estate Forum Magazine’s 50 Under 40.

Ryan Bosch is a Principal at Arriba Capital, where he leads underwriting, capital markets strategy, and advisory for hotel developers, private equity sponsors, and institutional owners. Since joining Arriba in 2016, Ryan has structured more than $2 billion in hotel financings across construction, bridge, conversion, and permanent executions, and is recognized by GlobeSt as a Finance, Debt & Equity Rainmaker. A frequent speaker at ALIS and the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum, Ryan maintains regular bylines in Hotel Business, Hotel Investment Today, CoStar, and Hospitality Investor. He is based in Phoenix, Arizona.

John Breuer, Vice President at Whiting-Turner’s Las Vegas office, has built a 19-year career focused on hospitality and entertainment projects across numerous iconic properties on and off The Strip. His portfolio includes work at Caesars Palace, Horseshoe, Wynn, Encore, Planet Hollywood, Flamingo, LINQ, Harrah’s, Plaza, Venetian, Palazzo, and multiple Station Casino locations. With extensive experience managing the renovation of over 6,000 hotel keys and 3.5 million square feet of hospitality space, John has led a diverse range of projects, including room and suite remodels, casinos, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and retail spaces in fully occupied facilities. Recognized as one of Whiting-Turner’s foremost hospitality experts, John’s expertise is instrumental to the company’s success in the sector.

Noah Brodsky is the Chief Executive Officer of Under Canvas, the leader in upscale, outdoor hospitality and the ultimate outdoor destination experience. Its safari-style accommodations perfectly embrace their natural surroundings while featuring indoor luxuries, allowing guests to discover their outdoor self in comfort and style. Under Canvas operates 17 locations across three brands. A catalyst for innovation and transformation, Brodsky brings charismatic leadership and extensive expertise with a 20+ year career across five continents focused on inspirational travel experiences and premium guest service at leading hospitality companies.  He served Lindblad Expeditions as Chief Commercial Officer and Travel & Leisure Co as a division president and Chief Brand Officer.  Earlier roles included SVP of Worldwide Loyalty and Engagement for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Chief Experience Officer at WeWork, and marketing and operations roles at Starwood Hotels and Four Seasons Resorts. Brodsky earned a bachelor's degree at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and a master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. He currently serves as a board member of Summer Discover, the nation's largest provider of pre-college summer programs. He previously served on the board of the Orlando Pride Chamber of Commerce and as co-chair of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce Marketing & Related Services Committee.

Liam Brown retired from Marriott International in 2026 after a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades of global leadership across the company’s operations, development and brand portfolio. Most recently, he served as Group President for the United States and Canada, where he was responsible for Marriott’s lodging portfolio of nearly 6,500 properties across 34 brands, leading operations, development and owner and franchise relations. Liam began his Marriott career in 1989, holding a series of General Manager and regional leadership roles. He went on to serve in several senior corporate positions, including Vice President of Franchising for Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites, Senior Vice President for Fairfield Inn, and Executive Vice President of Development for Select Service and Extended Stay brands. He later served as Chief Operations Officer for Select Service and Extended Stay Lodging in the Americas, and as President of Franchising, Owner Services and MxM Select Brands in North America. In 2019, Liam relocated to London as President and Managing Director for Europe, with responsibility later expanding to include the Middle East and Africa. Known for his deep operational expertise, strong owner relationships and commitment to people, Liam leaves a lasting legacy of thoughtful leadership and meaningful impact across Marriott’s global system.

As Executive Vice President, Investments and Development for Auro Hotels, Jay leads the company’s real estate team in overseeing hotel and land acquisitions, project execution, feasibility, due diligence, asset management, and divestitures. Before joining Auro Hotels, Jay served as Chief Investment Officer at GF Hotels & Resorts. Prior to that, he held a hotel asset management role with AMC Delancey Group. Earlier in his career, Jay spent six years with Marriott International in a variety of corporate positions, including sales and marketing, competitive analysis, revenue management, and information technology. Jay earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce and a Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration. He and his wife live in Greenville, South Carolina, where they enjoy spending time with their two adult daughters. In his free time, Jay enjoys serving at his church, playing golf, and traveling with his family and dogs.

Mike Canning serves as Senior Vice President of Capital Markets, where he oversees capital markets activities for both HALL Structured Finance and its parent company, HALL Group, and manages a range of strategic projects within the organization. He joined HALL Group in 2015 and brings more than a decade of experience with the firm. Before joining HALL Group, Mr. Canning held various roles at GE Real Estate, where he developed strong analytical and project management skills supporting a broad spectrum of real estate finance transactions. Mr. Canning earned a BA in Economics and Business from Virginia Military Institute.

Kevin Carey serves as AHLA’s Chief Operating Officer, a role he assumed in 2017, and as President & CEO of the AHLA Foundation since 2025. In his role as COO, Kevin is responsible for all AHLA’s revenue generating activities, including membership acquisition & engagement, strategic partnerships & business development, and conferences & events. He also oversees financial operations and IT for AHLA and its affiliates. Kevin works closely with AHLA’s President & CEO and supports the association’s officers, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and its numerous committees and councils. As President & CEO of the AHLA Foundation, Kevin leads the charitable arm of AHLA which works to support the hotel and lodging industry’s greatest asset – its people. Prior to joining AHLA, Kevin held senior executive leadership roles at American Express Company and American Express Global Business Travel. He spent more than two decades rising through the ranks at American Express, beginning his career in public affairs as a member of the company’s government affairs office in Washington, D.C., before transitioning to client management and sales leadership roles in the company’s card, merchant services, and travel business groups.  Kevin has a breadth of experience across the travel and hospitality industries through his service as a board and executive committee member for numerous travel and tourism industry associations, including U.S. Travel and the Travel Business Roundtable. Currently, Kevin serves as a board member of Green Key Global and an industry advisory board member at Penn State University.

Willis Cheng is a hospitality development executive with over a decade of experience spanning hotel investment, acquisitions, and real estate strategy. He currently serves as Vice President of Lodging Development for the Western Region at Marriott International, where he leads growth initiatives and oversees new hotel development and conversion opportunities. Prior to joining Marriott, Willis Cheng was Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Development at Remington Hotels, where he helped expand the company’s portfolio through strategic investments and partnerships. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Evolution Hospitality and JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, focusing on development, investment sales, and complex real estate transactions across the hospitality sector. His professional foundation includes experience as a financial analyst in Wells Fargo’s Hospitality Finance Group, where he developed expertise in underwriting and market analysis. Willis Cheng is recognized for his ability to identify and execute high-value hotel investment opportunities, drawing on deep knowledge of real estate finance, capital markets, and hospitality operations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Cornell University, with a focus on real estate finance and development.

Jaimie Cho, Senior Director of Mixed-Use Development at Marriott International, is responsible for driving the company’s branded residential development efforts throughout North America, Caribbean, and Latin America. Previously, Jaimie was a Director of Development at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Jaimie began her career in hotel consulting and valuation at HVS. She holds a B.S. in Hotel Management from New York University.

As Co-Founder, President and CEO of Cornerstone Hospitality, Kimberly Christner has earned a reputation as a creative visionary, experienced operator, developer and owner of historically preserved properties which are repurposed into successful boutique and independent hotel destination complexes. Cornerstone’s primary focus is to develop, own, develop for others and operate upscale boutique, lifestyle and upper-midscale branded and independent hotel properties. She has been instrumental in working with others to bring projects to life in small to mid-markets. Development experience includes historic adaptive reused projects and award-winning properties such as the Craddock Terry Hotel, Sessions Hotel, The Virginian, Hotel Weyanoke, Western Front Hotel, Hotel Elkhart and Hotel Monroe. Cornerstone has experience with independent hotels as well as Marriott and Hilton upscale full-service brands. The firm also has ownership and is a sought-after third-party manager for Select Service properties. Kimberly currently serves on the Marriott Owners Advisory Council for the Tribute Portfolio and the Hilton Owners Advisory Council for the Tapestry Collection. She earned her bachelors of Business Administration Degree from St. Leo University and several Executive Education certifications from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell. She is a recipient of American Hotel & Lodging Association State Leadership Award Recipient and the Virginia Hotel and Travel Association’s Hotelier of the Year award. She has served in leadership roles on numerous boards and committees for both civic and professional organizations including the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association, Rotary International, the YMCA, Proclaiming Grace Ministries and city and state tourism boards.

Rod Clough, MAI, CRE, MRICS, is President of HVS Americas, the only global consulting firm focused exclusively on the hospitality industry. He is responsible for the strategy, management, and ongoing success of the firm’s 40 offices across the Americas. He co-owns and oversees the various HVS divisions that help clients succeed in the hospitality arena, including Consulting & Valuation, Brokerage & Advisory, and Asset Management & Advisory, as well as HVS Latin America and U.S. Hotel Appraisals. He also plays a significant leadership role in the strategic direction of the firm globally. During his 30-year tenure at HVS, Rod has been instrumental in leading the growth of the firm. His entrepreneurial focus, integrity, and ongoing commitment to exceeding client needs has resulted in strong growth and exceptional client satisfaction. Under his leadership, HVS Americas conducts thousands of valuation and consulting engagements annually and has expanded its expertise and practice groups across the Americas.

Isaac Collazo leads analytics at STR Inc., a division of CoStar Group, that provides market data on the hotel industry worldwide, including supply and demand and market share data. His responsibilities include ascertaining, prioritizing, and executing opportunities to harvest data through innovative analysis; alterations to collection/storage of data; identification of data gaps and collection opportunities; and forecasting. Prior to joining STR, Mr. Collazo was Vice President, Competitive Intelligence at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and was responsible for ensuring effective cross-utilization of intelligence as well as overseeing a broad range of functional responsibilities. Before IHG, he was vice president, strategic brand knowledge with Marriott International where he led their guest satisfaction program and competitive analysis group. He also served with Promus Hotel Corporation. Mr. Collazo began his career in the hospitality industry in 1987 with La Quinta Inns. Mr. Collazo holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and radio, television & film from Trinity University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Guy Cook serves as the Vice President of Luxury and Lifestyle Development at Hyatt, where he leads growth strategy and brand expansion for Hyatt’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio across the eastern United States. He brings more than a decade of experience in hospitality and real estate development, including six years with Hilton, where he oversaw development efforts throughout the Southeast region. Guy is a graduate of Cornell University and previously served as the President of the Cornell Hotel Society’s Washington, D.C. Chapter. Guy lives in Kensington, MD with his wife, two daughters, and their dog.

Skyler Cooper rejoined the Miller-Gomes Hotel team in the Dallas office in 2021 and is the Senior Vice President Investments. Prior to returning to Texas, Mr. Cooper served as the National Director of Marcus & Millichap’s Hospitality Division and as the Regional Manager of Marcus & Millichap’s Denver office. Mr. Cooper joined the firm in 2012 as an associate and received accolades throughout his hospitality brokerage career, including sales recognition awards, national achievement awards, and induction into the firm’s prestigious SIA. In 2017, Mr. Cooper led the Houston office in agent earnings across all property types, and during his time at Marcus & Millichap, he has transacted over 236 deals worth more than $1 Billion. Mr. Cooper has a thorough understanding of the operational demands of the hotel industry. His valued experience, coupled with personal relationships in a fragmented hospitality industry, position him as an established resource to all hospitality investors. Mr. Cooper brought several years of prior industry experience to the firm, including Regional Sales Manager at Marriott International for the Washington D.C. market managing sales operations for over 12 full-service hotels including the JW Marriott Washington, DC, the Washington Marriott Wardman Park, and The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Information Systems from Virginia Tech. His industry trade affiliations include AAHOA and DMCAR.

Jason Cowan is Senior Vice President, Core Brands Development. Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world’s largest hotel companies. In this role, he is responsible for driving unit growth for the Comfort, Sleep, Country Inn & Suites, Quality, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, Econo Lodge, Rodeway and Park Inn brands in key markets in the U.S. Mr. Cowan joined Choice Hotels in 1999 as Director, Franchise Sales and Development for the company’s economy brands. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Regional Vice President of Franchise Development for Econo Lodge in the eastern U.S. Over the past 26 years he has held various leadership roles in development including Regional Vice President, Vice President and Senior Vice President, representing numerous brands throughout the entire U.S. Mr. Cowan earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Georgia Southern University.

Larry Cuculic has served as President and CEO of BWH® Hotels, which is comprised of Best Western Hotels & Resorts, SureStay Hotels®, and WorldHotels™. since December 2021. Cuculic oversees the company’s global portfolio brands, which boasts approximately 4,300 hotels across all chain scale segments. He continues to drive the organization’s impressive success – with historically high RevPAR and brand contribution, 66 million loyalty program members and the strongest financial position in the company’s history. Cuculic is an active member of hospitality associations and currently sits on the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) Executive Committee. He has made a commitment to build on the company’s strong relationships with partners such as AHLA, the U.S. Travel Association, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association, and the Global Business Travel Association, among others. Cuculic received his B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School. He also earned an LL.M. degree from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's School in and graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Cuculic is licensed to practice law in the Supreme Court of the United States of America and the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana.

Brad Czechowski is a seasoned Project Executive and partner at H-CPM, specializing in third-party project management services for hotel ownership groups in the hospitality industry. For the past 12 years, Brad has worked exclusively within the hospitality sector, bringing a deep understanding of hotel operations, brand standards, and the unique challenges of hospitality development. With a foundation rooted in hands-on construction experience—from working on job sites at age 13 to leading complex builds as a general contractor for over a decade—Brad offers a rare blend of technical knowledge and industry-specific expertise. His ability to navigate complexity, solve problems with confidence, and lead high-performing teams makes him a trusted partner throughout the entire project lifecycle. He led the ground-up construction of the Shephard Hotel, a custom boutique property with a mission to employ and empower individuals with special needs through a partnership with the Clemson LIFE program—where over 40% of the staff are neurodiverse. He also played a key role in the comprehensive renovation of the Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort. In addition, Brad directed the full renovation of the Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek. Brad Graduated Cum Laude from the Temple University Fox School of Business with a degree in Business Administration/Concentration in finance.

Pete Dannemiller is an Executive Managing Director in the Hospitality Investment Advisory practice at Hodges Ward Elliott. Since joining HWE in 1996, Mr. Dannemiller has become one of the leading producers within the firm and the hotel investment sales and financing industry.  Dannemiller has closed sales and financing transactions totaling over $50 billion in volume during his tenure with the firm, including over $5 billion in debt placement. Mr. Dannemiller is a frequent speaker at industry events, including the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), the Atlanta Hotel Investment Conference, the UNC Real Estate Conference, Hotel Asset Manger’s Association (HAMA) Conference, The Lodging Conference, the Midwest Lodging Investment Summit, Meet the Money, and NYU’s International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference and has been quoted in Hotel Business, Real Estate Forum and Lodging Hospitality magazines as a hospitality brokerage expert. Mr. Dannemiller holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Emory University.

Sloan Dean is a hospitality industry veteran, executive advisor, and podcast host who has spent his career proving that culture and performance are not competing forces — they are the same force. A Georgia Tech industrial engineer by training, he approaches every business problem with the same rigor he brings to the gym 5+ days a week. As COO and then CEO & President of Remington Hospitality from 2018 to 2025, Sloan joined a company with zero third-party managed hotels and built it into a portfolio of over 100 properties — expanding across the US and into the Caribbean and Latin America. He was recognized as one of Dallas's most influential business leaders and named to the Dallas 500 multiple years in a row — one of the few hospitality executives to earn that distinction consecutively. Today, he channels that experience into "Not Done" — a weekly podcast and platform for leaders who refuse to stop growing. His focus: AI, contrarian leadership, wellness as a performance edge, and the next era of business.

Gary A. DeLapp has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of stayAPT Suites since its inception in January 2019, leading the design and development of the new U.S. hotel brand that is breaking protocol for traditional long-term lodging. Concurrently, Mr. DeLapp has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Affordable Suites of America, Inc. since 2019. A proven leader and innovator in the extended-stay hotel industry segment, DeLapp has served in a series of executive positions including President and Chief Executive Officer of WoodSpring Hotels, LLC (2016-2018), where he executed a rebranding and renovation campaign and oversaw the franchise services growth of the brand to 254 hotels. DeLapp was President of Invitation Homes LP (2013-2015), a nationwide home leasing company with over 60,000 rentals, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Extended Stay Hotels to include the brands Extended Stay America and Homestead Village (2001-2011), where he oversaw the company’s nearly 700 hotels and more than 75,000 guest rooms from coast to coast, throughout North America. DeLapp has also served as Senior Vice President and Partner with Vista Host, Inc., a lodging company that owns and manages various branded hotels. He is a graduate of Florida State University.

Chequetta Dessources is Vice President of Procurement, Americas for IHG Hotels & Resorts. She is responsible for leading all hotel supply chain and procurement capabilities in US, Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, Chequetta is part of IHG’s Global Procurement Leadership Team. Since joining IHG in 2014 as FF&E Procurement Manager, Chequetta transitioned into a Finance Manager in 2015 before rejoining Procurement in 2017 as a Director working with cross-brand teams, brand supply chain, mainstream brand design, and hotel openings in the Americas region. Chequetta was promoted to Head of Hotel Procurement Strategy & Support in 2020, and served as Regional Vice President, Hotel Purchasing Services, Americas, building a critical new capability for IHG’s owner offer in late 2022/early 2023. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Procurement, Openings & Renovations, Americas. Supporting her development alongside a busy professional calendar, Chequetta has been part of three IHG leadership programs (Leading in Finance, Pathways Live, and ASCEND) and is the Black Employee Resource Group (BERG) Co-Chair. Externally, she is a member of Chief, Women Leading Travel and Hospitality, as well as Americas Hotel Lodging and Association ELEVATE program. Before joining IHG, Chequetta held finance, procurement, and project management roles in retail (Home Depot) and manufacturing (Ingersoll Rand and Mercedes Benz) and graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Accounting. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter.

In 2005, Prem Devadas joined noted business leader Sheila Johnson to form the Salamander Collection. As its President, Devadas oversees the company’s development and management of iconic luxury properties including the Forbes Five Star-rated Salamander Middleburg in Middleburg, VA; Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica; Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay, FL; PGA National Resort, in Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Aspen Meadows in Aspen, CO; Salamander DC in the nation’s capital; and Hotel Bennett and The Inn at Middleton Place, both in Charleston, SC. Prior to joining Salamander, Devadas served for 15 years as Managing Director of an exclusive portfolio of family owned Five Star properties, overseeing the restorations of the historic Jefferson Hotel in Richmond and the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, and the repositioning of Kiawah Island Resort, including the development and opening of the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island. A highly respected industry professional, Devadas also serves on the board for the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), is a member of the Advisory Board Temple University’s Sports & Tourism Management Program and is a member of the Black Travel Alliance Board.

Paul DiBenedetto is a Senior Vice President and the Franchise Practice Leader at HUB International, where he leads insurance and risk strategy for franchise and hospitality operators nationwide, including a growing roster of hotel owners, operators, and management companies. He works directly with hotel groups on property, casualty, and liability coverage, underwriting shifts, and carrier relationships in a market where risk visibility is tied directly to the bottom line. Before insurance, Paul spent over a decade as an operator, serving as operating partner and area developer for a large multi-unit, multi-state franchise bar and restaurant business, at one point managing 8 locations and roughly 35 franchisees across 8 states. That operator background shapes how he advises hospitality clients on risk today. Paul later built and sold a beverage consulting firm before moving into insurance at the Horton Group, where he built its restaurant and franchise practice from scratch. He was then recruited to HUB International to lead its hospitality and franchise practice, and is now a shareholder and partner at the firm.
Paul serves on the Illinois Restaurant Association Board and its governmental action committee, as well as the boards of the Industrial Council of Northwest Chicago and the Military Reunion Foundation. He is also an active member of the Illinois Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association, and International Franchise Association.

David Eisen is VP and Editor-in-Chief of HOTELS Magazine, where he oversees creative content for both the print and digital products. Prior to HOTELS, David was Content Director, Media within the hospitality vertical for Questex, overseeing the content direction and focus for Hotel Management, Hospitality Insights and the complementing event series. David’s other work includes the position of Director of Hotel Intelligence, Americas, for benchmarking firm HotStats. David has worked within the hospitality media landscape for more than 15 years, having started his career as hotel editor at Business Travel News. He has a master's degree in hospitality industry studies from New York University’s Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism. He frequently participates on panels and roundtable discussions focused on global hospitality industry trends and topics.

Lan Elliott’s career spans 25+ years as a hotel real estate & transactions executive, leading deals in the U.S. and abroad. In 2020, Lan rejoined Acacia Holdings, a hotel investment entity she co-founded in 2010, which owns interests in three urban convention hotels. Prior to Acacia, she spent 10+ years at Host Hotels & Resorts, and had roles at IHG, W Hotels, and KPMG. Lan is an Interview Host for It’s Personal Stories, which has been recognized by IHI as a Top Hospitality Podcast. In 2025, she was recognized as one of Hotel Management's 2025 Influential Women in Hospitality and featured in LODGING Magazine’s Women In Lodging issue. She has also been named to IHI’s 100 Most Inspirational Leaders in Hospitality and Travel and Top 50 Social Media Influencers in Global Hospitality. In 2024, Lan launched Athena Leadership Academy, where she teaches Introduction to Hotel Ownership at university hospitality schools. Lan previously served as Co-Chair of Castell@College, for which she was a recipient of the 2022 Industry Recognition Award from ICHRIE, and she led and launched the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance Speaker Directory. Lan is also a speaker and serves on conference and hospitality school advisory boards

Cindy Estis Green’s career began in corporate marketing and senior operations including general manager roles with Hilton. After founding the data mining firm Driving Revenue and selling it to Pegasus Solutions, Ms. Estis Green consulted with hotel owners on targeting asset value growth. Estis Green was named Cornell’s Innovator of the Year in 2025 for her work in moving the industry to target profitability; she was inducted into Cornell Hotel Society’s prestigious Hall of Fame, honored with the HSMAI Vanguard Award for industry leadership in revenue optimization and was one of the first women inducted into the HFTP Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. A prolific published author, Estis Green is highly sought after as a speaker on topics related to digital disruption and the impact on the economics of hotels. She has published a series of books for hotels including her latest, Demystifying the Digital Market & Guide to Commercial Strategy. Estis Green led Kalibri’s team in creating an online certificate-based training programs in Profit Analysis and Profit Strategy that is designed to upskill commercial, operational and financial teams to grow asset value through profit optimization. Ms. Estis Green co-founded Kalibri, the hospitality industry's leading profit platform. Leveraging the most robust hotel performance data and proprietary A.I., Kalibri delivers critical insights driving profit-first revenue strategies and real estate investment decisions in the age of AI—enhancing hotel asset value at every stage of the owner lifecycle. Estis Green holds a BS degree from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and an MBA from The American University.

Erik Eveleigh serves as Vice President, Development for the Americas region for Starwood Hotels, the sustainable hotel brand & management company that operates 1 Hotels & Homes, Baccarat Hotels & Residences, and Treehouse Hotels. At Starwood Hotels, he spearheads both new portfolio growth for the company’s distinct hotel brands within the Americas, as well as the growth and evolution of the emerging branded residential platform. He previously spent over a decade in a similar capacity with Hilton's North American Luxury Development Team and currently serves as a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Recreation Development Council, and founding board member of the International Luxury Hotel Association’s West Coast chapter.

Prior to joining Crexi in Q2 of 2025, Anthony helped create and sustainably grow a competitive online hospitality auction platform which later sold to a publicly traded company. Anthony also spent nine years as the COO of the Select Service Group at Hodges Ward Elliott. With an impressive marketing and operations background, he served as President/CEO of Cendant Corporation’s Budget/Economy brands and was also involved in the franchising of high growth brands. An industry resource, Anthony has served on the Board of Directors of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and on the Board of Trustees for the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation and chaired its fundraising arm. Anthony has been involved in the transacting of over $10B in Hospitality assets and has been instrumental in dramatically broadening the online auction marketplace from the original business model of distressed assets sold by banks and lenders to one where various owners, trusts, public companies, and private equity firms with cash-flowing assets participate in our trusted process.

As Chief Sales Officer of Zook Cabins, Leon Fisher sits at an unusual vantage point in the nature-based lodging boom — not as an operator chasing occupancy, but as the partner behind the cabins and park models that operators, developers, and landowners are using to bring outdoor stays to market faster than conventional construction ever allowed. Founded in 2006 and rooted in Lancaster County's Amish craftsmanship tradition, Zook has quietly become a supplier to some of the most recognized locations and brands in the outdoor space. That seat gives Leon a read on the category most operators don't have: he sees demand before it shows up in anyone's bookings. He knows which design choices guests will pay a premium for, where developers are placing their next bets, and why guest experience now defines this market. A genuine lover of time spent outdoors, Leon brings both commercial sharpness and real conviction to this conversation, along with a belief that beautiful, well-designed spaces are what turn a place to stay into a place worth remembering. He's humbled to sit alongside the people who are actively reshaping this industry, and excited to add the Zook Cabins vantage point to where it goes next.

Christina Flannery is the Director of Capital Project Management for Park Hotels and Resorts. Christina started her role with Park Hotels and Resorts in 2016 as the Director of Design and moved over to the Renovations team in 2022. With over 20 years in the industry, working previously at Marriott International on the Renovations team, as well as leading the Interiors team at AvalonBay Communities Inc., Christina brings essential enterprise design and project management responsibility for asset renovations and improvements in the DC/MD/VA and Florida regions. With a strong background in Hospitality Design Management, she provides a visionary leadership role for designers, project management teams, contractors and specialty consultants working on capital renovations. Recently, PHR announced the transformative $100 million dollar renovation of the Royal Palm South Beach Tribute hotel, which Christina will be the project executive on. Christina brings a seasoned perspective to the Park Hotels & Resorts team. Christina is based at Park’s Headquarters in Tysons, VA, and resides in Maryland with her husband, and three children.  

Bruce Ford is a globally recognized authority on hotel development trends, bringing deep expertise in international markets and hospitality strategy to his role as Senior Vice President and Director of Global Business Development at Lodging Econometrics (LE). For more than 25 years, LE has set the industry standard for Business Development Database Programs, lodging trend reports, hotel development intelligence, decision-maker contact data, market forecasts, and best-in-class client support. Since 1995, Bruce has been a trusted strategic partner to hotel franchise companies, vendors and suppliers, ownership and management groups, Wall Street analysts, and industry consultants alike — helping clients design hospitality strategies and market penetration programs that drive measurable revenue growth. A frequent speaker and moderator, Bruce has taken the stage at premier hospitality events around the world, including Boutique Design New York, the California Lodging Investment Conference, Hospitality Design Expo and Summit, the International Hotel Investment Forum, the Lodging Conference, and the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, in addition to industry webinars and podcasts. Bruce also serves on the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) committee, where he helps select the ALIS Development Project of the Year finalists — honoring outstanding achievement in hotel construction and design across the Americas.

Patrick “JP” Ford leads all the strategic sales initiatives for Lodging Econometrics. He is an industry leading real estate advisory specialist with over 35 years of experience providing business development, acquisition and disposition services. JP serves as a trusted advisor to franchise companies looking to identify branding opportunities; ownership and management groups looking to add real estate assets and management contracts to their portfolios; lodging industry vendors seeking to increase product distribution and Wall Street analysts interested in evaluating hotel development, hotel sales transaction trends, and assessing investment potential in hotel companies and markets. JP chairs the committee responsible for gathering nominations and selecting the finalists for the America’s Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) “Development of the Year” awards, which recognizes the most outstanding achievement in hotel construction and design in the country. JP is a speaker at various hotel industry events and conferences and regularly contributes to several lodging real estate publications. JP is a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC).

Since co-founding Peachtree Group in 2007, Greg has successfully overseen investments exceeding $14.0 billion in commercial real estate and various other enterprises. With over 26 years of experience, he brings extensive experience in credit and equity investing, particularly in hotels and other commercial real estate assets. Previously, Greg served as senior vice president of business development for Specialty Finance Group, where he originated more than $2.0 billion of credit transactions. Before that, Greg was vice president of business development for GMAC Commercial Mortgage Asset-Backed Lending Division. During his six-year tenure, he originated, closed and funded more than 300 hospitality FF&E financing transactions with an aggregate capital structure exceeding $10.0 billion. Greg is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and is a board member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. He also serves on the real estate fund advisory board for the Texas McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Brad serves as Senior Vice President, Select Service Brands at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, where he leads the growth and development of the company’s ECHO Extended Stay, La Quinta, Hawthorn Extended Stay, and Microtel brands across the United States. In this role, he is responsible for the overall development strategy, driving expansion through both new construction and quality conversion opportunities nationwide. Brad brings over 22 years of development experience to his role. Since joining Wyndham in 2017 as Director of Franchise Development, he has been instrumental in advancing the company’s footprint through new hotel development. Over the course of his tenure, he has held multiple leadership positions, including overseeing the company’s conversions-focused business line. His current role unifies both new construction and conversion strategies, reflecting his comprehensive expertise across the development spectrum. Brad has been promoted four times since joining Wyndham, underscoring his strong performance and leadership impact. Prior to Wyndham, Brad served as National Director of Franchise and Real Estate Development at Brinker International, where he supported the growth of Chili’s and Maggiano’s brands. Earlier in his career, he led development efforts for the largest franchisee of IHOP, and held roles focused on real estate development for various restaurant and retail concepts.

Aaron Gentry, based in Atlanta, is a Principal at TVS where he’s led the firm’s hospitality architecture practice over much of his 26-year tenure. As part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering architecture and interiors, Aaron is known for a collaborative approach and creative problem solving. Experienced with major brands and independent hotels globally, his unique market perspective is informed by convention and sports adjacent properties often involving public-private partnership and integrated design solutions.  With expertise in full-service convention and resort hotels, recently completed projects include Salterra, a Marriott Luxury Collection resort in Turks and Caicos and Hotel Phoenix in Downtown Atlanta. Salterra is an extraordinary reimagining of an existing property that includes a transformative renovation and new construction. The project’s sustainability goals have made it the top performer in the firm’s commitment to AIA’s 2030 challenge for carbon neutral buildings. Hotel Phoenix speaks to the firm’s versatility, designed and developed concurrently with an interconnected high-rise residential building, this luxury hotel sits adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Georgia World Congress Center – all examples of TVS integrated delivery of architecture and interior design.  Aaron is a graduate of the Mississippi State College of Architecture where he’s served on the Board of Directors and shares his passion for design as a mentor and teacher volunteering at regional universities. His other interests include guitar, painting, cooking, and weekends exploring the mountains of western North Carolina.

Mark is a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company and is based in New York City. In addition, Mark works as an independent consultant advising on strategy, M&A, and the capital markets. Previously, he was a Vice President in the Capital Investments & Transactions team in Global Finance at InterContinental Hotels Group (“IHG”). He also spent several years as IHG’s Chief Capital Markets Officer for the Americas. At IHG, Mark worked on both corporate M&A and individual hotel transactions. He negotiated hotel brand acquisitions, equity investments, joint ventures, master license agreements and property financings. Prior to IHG, Mark was a Managing Director in UBS Investment Bank’s Real Estate, Lodging and Leisure Group where he was involved in the execution of mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, IPOs, and debt & equity transactions. Before UBS, Mark was a Vice President at Morgan Stanley. Mark has over 15 years of experience in lodging and real estate investment banking. Mark graduated as a Palmer Scholar with an M.B.A. in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and received a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering with Great Distinction from McGill University.

Thom Geshay has been in a management position with Davidson since 1988. Most recently, Thom spent two years as President where he oversaw the company’s rebranding as Davidson Hospitality Group and the delineation of clearly defined operating verticals, including the creation of Davidson Resorts. Previously, he served as COO, where he was responsible for overall company operations and an important contributor in the successful launch of Pivot and Davidson Restaurant Group. Prior to that, he was SVP of Business Development where he led all new business activity and stimulated growth of the company through management, ownership, and development opportunities. He has completed over a billion dollars in acquisitions and recapitalizations, involving single-asset and portfolio transactions, and has structured joint venture agreements, negotiated management contracts, and negotiated franchise agreements with nearly every hotel brand. He is an AHLA Executive Committee member, a Marriott MINA board member, a member of the Hospitality Investment Roundtable, on the Owner Advisory Councils for Hilton and Hyatt, a Give Kids the World board member and a frequent speaker at industry events. Geshay received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Steve Getty leads national originations for the Hospitality Finance Group at MUFG which he co-founded in 2022. Prior to joining MUFG, Steve led east coast originations for Wells Fargo Hotel Franchise. While at Wells Fargo, he closed hotel loans ranging from $8MM to $650MM across the United States, which contributed to the loan portfolio growing from zero to nearly $1 billion within 3 years. Before that, Steve worked as a Relationship Manager for Western Alliance Hotel Franchise Finance (formerly GE Capital Hotel Franchise Finance) where he participated in closing $1 billion in hotel and real estate loans. Steve began his career at Berryfield Hotel Group which specialized in hotel asset management, receivership, REO, and distressed hotel management. Steve was raised and resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife, Kasey, and three kids. He graduated from Presbyterian College with degrees in Mathematics and Business Administration while playing NCAA division I Lacrosse.

Zack Gharib is President of Red Roof®, an award-winning leader in the lodging industry. Gharib brings more than two decades of senior management experience in franchising, operations and brand management with companies such as Marriott, Vacasa, LaQuinta by Wyndham and Highgate Homes. He is widely regarded as a hospitality management innovator, having created and launched award-winning development, strategic planning and franchise operations programs over more than two decades of industry leadership. Gharib is known for possessing a laser focus on growth and operations excellence and has demonstrated his ability to deliver transformative results. His passion for helping owners and franchisees achieve their fullest potential, delivering exceptional guest service, and his commitment to operational excellence are instrumental in driving Red Roof’s continued success. Gharib sits on the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and is active as a leader in numerous other industry and civic organizations. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management from the Lebanese American University and a Master of Science degree in hotels, restaurants, and institutional management from Texas Tech University. He resides in Red Roof’s hometown of Columbus, OH with his partner, Autumn, and their two dogs.

Plato joined Shaner Hotels in 1995 and has since participated in the acquisition and development of multiple hotel and restaurant properties and progressed franchise relationships and negotiations with several well-known brands. Plato is the Managing Director of Shaner Italia responsible for expanding the company's hotel portfolio in Italy. Most recently, Plato was instrumental in forming partnerships in Greece and the U.A.E. to expand the hotel portfolio in the EMEA region. He also serves on the Marriott International European, Middle East and Africa Advisory Board. Plato previously served for 10 years as Executive Vice-President for Federated National, a real estate development group. A native of Athens, Greece, Plato came to the United States to attend college. He received his B.A. in Business Administration from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and his M.B.A. at the American Graduate School of International Management – Thunderbird Campus in Phoenix, Arizona. Plato is a member of several boards. He has taught several classes as part of faculty staff at Pennsylvania State University School of Hotel, Restaurant and Recreation Management and has been a guest lecturer at various Universities and hotel investment conferences. He was honored as a Fall 2011 Conti Professor at the Pennsylvania State University School of Hospitality Management. He is a regular contributor to several industry publications including chapters in the books “Medical Tourism and Wellness” and “Strategic Management for Hospitality and Travel.” Plato serves on the Old Dominion National Bank and RE Alpha (Nasdag:AIRE) advisory boards. In 2025 he was elected to join the board of directors of the American Hotel Lodging Association (AHLA) representing the ownership segment of the industry.

Jennifer Glatt is a fractional editorial leader and strategist who partners with hospitality organizations, trade media, and executives to turn information into influence. Drawing on more than 18 years of communications leadership, she builds editorial architecture—designing the strategic frameworks that bridge the gap between big-picture business goals and the nuanced details that make stories resonate. Her perspective is grounded in deep industry access. She maintains a front-row seat to the industry’s evolution as Senior Contributing Editor for LODGING Magazine—the official publication of the American Hotel & Lodging Association—where she covers the trends and business strategies driving the industry forward. She also shapes the narrative for the independent and boutique hotel sector as the curator of the weekly Mint Pillow Newsletter. Jen collaborates closely with hoteliers, owners, investors, technologists, and hospitality vendors, leveraging an innate curiosity about and a practical understanding of how brand, operations, and the guest experience intersect. This dual view—from the macro trends shaping the future to the operational strategies that optimize guest satisfaction—allows her to translate complex market dynamics into narratives that drive genuine connection and spark meaningful conversations across the hospitality landscape.

David Goldstone is President of Hospitality at Enseo, where in addition to serving on the executive leadership team, he leads strategic relationships and corporate growth with major hotel brands, ownership groups, and management companies. A renowned industry voice with more than two decades of experience, Goldstone helps Enseo’s partners navigate growth, transformation, and evolving guest expectations through trusted relationships and customer-first strategies. Prior to joining Enseo, Goldstone held senior leadership positions at several prominent hospitality technology companies. In these roles, he developed a deep understanding of hotel operations and technology strategy that he brings to every engagement. He serves on the boards of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s The Hospitality Show and is an active advocate with AH&LA on federal and state initiatives, including efforts to eradicate human trafficking. Goldstone is one of only five recipients of AH&LA’s prestigious John Whitaker Award and holds the Certified Hospitality Master Supplier (CHMS) designation

Corey Haaland is the Vice President of Construction for Legacy Builders Inc., where he leads the company’s commercial construction activities with a primary focus on hospitality development throughout the United States. His experience spans general commercial construction, hotel development, project planning, owner representation, facilities management, and renovation projects. Over the course of his career, Corey has overseen projects ranging from new hotel development and property improvement initiatives to broader commercial construction assignments requiring the coordinated management of contractors, design professionals, ownership groups, and operations teams. His background in facilities management brings a long-term operational perspective to the construction process, with an emphasis on building functionality, efficiency, maintainability, and lifecycle performance. Known for his practical and collaborative leadership style, Corey brings a strong passion for project management and a deep understanding of field operations to his day-to-day leadership role. He works closely with project stakeholders throughout the development and construction process, with a particular focus on production efficiency, cost management, and design-oriented value engineering to help ensure projects are delivered efficiently and aligned with ownership objectives. As part of the vertically integrated platform of The Rivett Organization, Corey has spent the past 15 years collaborating with affiliated franchising, ownership, and hotel management teams while helping maintain the partnership-driven approach Legacy Builders brings to its clients.

Glenn Haussman is the hospitality industry’s most well-known podcaster, commentator, event host and moderator. His No Vacancy podcast series is regularly named the #1 industry podcast. He’s also been recognized by the International Hospitality Institute as the #1 Social Media Influencer in Hospitality and was named a Top Digital Influencer.  Glenn publishes the novacancynews.com hospitality news site; as well as being a professional speaker, consultant, strategist, board member for various organizations and more. The No Vacancy Live podcast attracts the biggest names in hospitality, including major public company CEOs and industry influencers. Additionally, he hosts No Vacancy News Today, a news and analysis program focused on hospitality headlines; and Friday Night Audit, a comedy focused happy hour show. Well, he thinks it’s funny at least. Find Glenn at Glenn@novacancynews.com and @TravelingGlenn on social.

Esther Hertzfeld currently serves as the editor of Hotel Management. With over a decade of dedicated hospitality-industry coverage, Esther is an authority on the trends, technologies and transactions that define the modern hotel landscape. At the helm of Questex Hospitality Group’s flagship publication, Esther oversees reporting on everything from luxury real estate development and global brand strategies to the nuances of hotel operations and food and beverage innovation. She is known for elevating perspectives that drive industry progress, particularly around leadership development and the future of hotel operations. Esther is instrumental in initiatives like Hotel Management's Influential Women in Hospitality, championing the leaders who are reshaping the industry’s future.

Kathleen Hollis is the Chief Growth Officer at First Hospitality, where she is responsible for growing the company's portfolio and building strong partnerships across the hospitality industry. She leads the business development team, working closely with hotel owners, brand partners, and developers to identify new opportunities through management contracts, acquisitions, and strategic market expansion. Before joining First Hospitality, Kathleen served as Senior Vice President of Business Development at Evolution Hospitality, where she played a key role in expanding the company's portfolio. She began her career as a financial analyst at Wells Fargo Bank, building a strong foundation in finance before transitioning into the hospitality industry. A graduate of Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration with a minor in real estate, Kathleen brings deep industry expertise and a passion for creating long-term value for owners and partners. She splits her time between California and Rhode Island and enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young sons.

Brian Holstein is the Founding Principal of US Hotel Advisors, an industry-leading, nationwide hospitality investment banking firm specializing in debt financing, joint-venture equity placement, and investment sales. A recognized expert in complex loan structuring, Mr. Holstein began his career as a Wall Street commercial real estate banker, where he successfully closed more than $1 billion in non-recourse fixed and floating-rate loans. In 2012, recognizing an opportunity to dramatically elevate the level of service and execution in the brokerage space, he transitioned from direct lending to redefine the hospitality capital markets model. By leveraging his institutional background and deep lender relationships, Mr. Holstein provides his clients with relentless advocacy, protecting them from re-trades while ensuring unmatched flexibility and certainty of execution. Since founding the firm, he has closed more than $2.5 billion in hospitality transactions.

Rachel is the Founder and Chair of the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance and an Interview Host for It’s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast, an award-winning industry podcast every year since its launch. Before retiring in August 2021, Rachel served as EVP & COO of AAHOA, the nation's largest and most influential hotel owners association and served as a member of its Executive Leadership Team and in 2019 its Interim President & CEO. Rachel joined AAHOA in 2015 after more than 20 years as a trial lawyer. Rachel has been recognized as one of the “100 Most Powerful People in USA Hospitality,” “100 Most Influential People in Global Hospitality and Travel,” and “100 Most Inspirational People in Global Hospitality & Travel” and has received numerous other awards and recognitions for her leadership and service to the hospitality industry. She is dedicated to advancing women in leadership in the hospitality industry. Rachel also currently serves on the Kennesaw State University Coles College of Business Advisory Board. She is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, contributor to industry publications, and serves on numerous industry advisory boards.

Lee has been working in hotel real estate finance for nearly 30 years including hotel asset acquisition, development, financing, and repositioning. Lee has worked with all of the major brands including IHG, Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott. As COO of Hunter Advisors, Lee oversees the operations of Hunter’s nine national offices including Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami. Lee is also Conference Chair of the Hunter Conference, a national hotel investment conference. For more than 35 years, the conference has brought together the nation’s most influential leaders in the lodging investment arena to discuss real estate and finance issues facing hotel owners today. Lee holds a master’s degree in hotel finance and real estate from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. Lee serves on the Board of Directors of Atlanta Hospitality Alliance and is highly regarded for his in-depth understanding of hotel real estate finance.

Kevin Jacobs is Chief Financial Officer for Hilton, where he leads the company's finance, real estate, and corporate strategy functions globally. Kevin joined the company in 2008 as Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and was elected Treasurer in 2009. In 2012 he was appointed Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff before assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer in 2013. From 2020 to 2025, Kevin also served as President, Global Development where he led the company’s development and architecture, design & construction functions. Prior to Hilton, Kevin was Senior Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions and Treasurer of Fairmont Raffles Hotels International. Prior to Fairmont Raffles, he spent seven years with Host Hotels & Resorts, ultimately serving as Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Investor Relations. Prior to Host, he held various roles in the Hospitality Consulting Practice of PwC and the Hospitality Valuation Group of Cushman & Wakefield. Kevin is a member of the Board of Directors of Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc., a triple-net, equity REIT (NYSE: OHI) that supports the goals of skilled nursing facility and assisted living facility operators with financing and capital. He is also a Trustee of Cornell University and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Additionally, he is Chair of the Board of Directors of Goodwill of Greater Washington and serves as Immediate Past Chair and an Executive Board Member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Kevin is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

Bob brings three decades of specialized state and local tax (SALT) experience, delivering strategic, results-driven solutions to clients across complex multistate environments. Since 1996, he has partnered with multinational corporations, pass-through entities, and closely held businesses in industries including manufacturing, construction, transportation and logistics, hospitality, government, telecommunications, and e-commerce, as well as advising on foreign VAT matters. He is known for helping clients uncover meaningful tax savings and operational efficiencies through proactive planning, audit defense, and thoughtful structuring. Bob advises on a full spectrum of SALT matters, including M&A due diligence, tax-efficient structuring, credits and incentives, property and employment taxes, and controversy support. He also leads direct and indirect tax compliance, refund studies, and payroll tax consulting engagements—helping clients strengthen their tax positions, reduce exposure, and drive measurable value.

Cartarwa Jones joined RLJ Lodging Trust in 2007 and is Senior Vice President of Business Development.  RLJ Lodging Trust is a publicly traded hotel REIT that owns primarily premium-branded, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. Cartarwa has nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining RLJ, Ms. Jones held various positions at the InterContinental Hotels Group as well as PwC.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Florida State University, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Economics from the University of South Florida.

Cory is Senior Director, Originations, overseeing Nuveen Green Capital’s West Coast originations efforts in California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Montana, Idaho & Hawaii. Prior to joining Nuveen Green Capital, Cory was with Bank OZK (formerly Bank of the Ozarks), where he spent eight years as a team leader on the West Coast, originating over $6B of construction, bridge, and note financing for the commercial real estate market. In addition to being a top originator, Cory was selected to lead the Bank OZK associate training program, where training and mentoring commercial real estate professionals became a passion of his. Cory also has lending experience from CIT and Arab Jordan Investment Bank, and he has accumulated over $7B in real estate transaction experience over the course of his career. Cory received his bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of California, San Diego.

Greg Juceam serves as President & Chief Executive Officer for Extended Stay America, the leading brand family in the mid-priced extended stay hotel segment in the U.S. with more than 650 hotels. Previous to ESA, Juceam was President & COO of G6 Hospitality, the parent franchisor of 1,400 hotels under the iconic Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands. Juceam also was CEO of BRE Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality real estate platform then comprising 250 hotels representing $10B in asset value in the Upscale, Upper-Upscale, and Luxury segments. Prior to this role, Juceam served as Chief Operating Officer for BRE Select Hotels, the select-service division of the company. He also spent 12 years at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, culminating as Executive Vice President of Full-Service Operations. Juceam is a Board Member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. He is an active alumnus of Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

Naveen Kakarla is HHM Hotels' President and CEO and serves on its Board of Directors. Naveen has worked across all disciplines since 2005 and currently spends focused time on the HHM Hotels investment and development platform, HHM’s Independent Collection of managed hotels, finance and accounting, human resources, and capital projects. He previously led the New York City operational region, the construction division, and each of the centralized shared service departments. Prior to joining HHM Hotels, Naveen worked with a private equity firm and its portfolio companies on early-stage investments and "roll-ups" in various industries. He was previously a partner specializing in corporate and securities law at Jenkens & Gilchrist, and prior to that was associated with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in Washington, DC. Naveen holds a Bachelor of Arts from Austin College and a law degree from Cornell Law School. Naveen is a board trustee at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital System, which includes the Sidney Kimmel Medical College. He also serves on the corporate board of the Barnes Foundation Museum and is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization. Naveen spent equal time growing up in India, New York City, and Dallas… though he recalls the move to Texas as requiring the most agility.

As Co-Founder and Principal of SLTX Capital, Navid specializes in hospitality led real estate development, guiding assets through the full lifecycle: site selection, land acquisition, entitlement process, construction oversight, and operational performance. Navid brings a hands-on development philosophy shaped by direct experience working with leading hotel brands, lenders, architects, and construction partners. His approach emphasizes disciplined execution, cost controlled delivery, market-driven programming, and long-term value creation. Navid’s vision is to develop high quality hospitality and mixed-use assets built around strong relationships, efficient deal structuring, and with sustainable growth. His track record includes managing ground up developments, value add repositionings, and projects requiring detailed entitlement and municipal approvals, positioning him as a trusted leader within the real estate and hotel space.

John M. Keeling is Executive Vice President of Valencia Collection, where he is one of five principals of a firm specializing in the development, branding, repositioning, and operation of upper-upscale and luxury independent and soft-branded hotels. His primary responsibilities include sourcing and vetting acquisitions and project development across Valencia’s portfolio. Differentiating Valencia from its competitors is its proven ability to create authentic and distinctive identities for each property it touches. Over more than four decades in hospitality, Mr. Keeling has held senior leadership roles as Senior Vice President of PKF Consulting, Regional Managing Partner with Laventhol & Horwath, and as a manager with Marriott Hotels and Resorts in Washington, Chicago, and Dallas. He is a recognized authority on upper-upscale and luxury hotels and a frequent speaker at industry conferences. He holds a BA in History (Cum Laude) from UCLA and an MBA in Hotel Management from Michigan State University.

Greg Kennealey is a seasoned hospitality executive with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling private equity-backed platforms, leading complex integrations, and driving long-term enterprise value across luxury, resort, and select-service segments. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Peregrine Hospitality, a hotel operating platform recognized for transforming high-quality assets into top-performing properties. In this role, he oversees a $2.5 billion portfolio spanning 57 properties and leads a workforce of more than 5,000 team members, with a focus on operational excellence, disciplined growth, and strong executive leadership. Prior to founding Peregrine Hospitality in 2025, Greg launched Mission Hill Hospitality in 2021, rapidly growing it into a 33-hotel platform valued at $1.1 billion in under three years. Earlier in his career, he served as Managing Director and Head of Hospitality at KSL Capital Partners, where he helped guide investment strategy across global hospitality and leisure assets. He also held leadership roles at Strategic Hotels & Resorts, LaSalle Investment Management, IBM Global Services, and Forrester Research. Greg brings deep governance experience, having served on the boards of Davidson Hotels & Resorts, where he was Chairman, and Outrigger Hotels & Resorts. He holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BA from the University of Notre Dame.

Justin Knight is Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. Apple Hospitality REIT is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns one of the largest portfolios of upscale, rooms-focused hotels in the United States. Justin has led the various Apple REIT Companies for more than 25 years. Within the industry, he currently serves on the Marriott Owners Advisory Council, as President of the Residence Inn Association Board, and as an Owner Representative on the Executive Committee and a member of the Owner Leader Council of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). From 2014 to 2023, Mr. Knight served as a member of the AHLA Board of Directors and acted as Chair of the Board in 2022. He is also active in supporting the community, serving as a member of the National Advisory Council for the Marriott School at Brigham Young University (BYU), the Board of Trustees for The Valentine, the Board of Trustees for Venture Richmond and the Board of Directors for The Doorways. Justin holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Marriott School at BYU and a Bachelor of Arts degree from BYU.

Stan Kozlowski has spent more than 25 years doing one thing exceptionally well: getting hotel deals done. As founder and principal of CooperWynn Capital, he has closed over 100 transactions representing nearly $3.0 billion in volume, spanning acquisitions, ground-up development, complex restructurings, senior and mezzanine debt, private equity placements, and strategic asset sales. Before launching CooperWynn, Stan built his expertise across a remarkably diverse array of firms that touched nearly every corner of the hospitality capital markets. From institutional private equity at Glenmont Capital Management and investment banking at CBRE Hotels Finance, to co-founding his own boutique at Forestpark Capital Advisors and serving as a principal at Neptune Hospitality Advisors — with earlier stops at HVS International, Sonnenblick-Goldman, Hotel Partners, and Insignia ESG — Stan has seen this business from virtually every angle. Over the course of his career, Stan has worked on transactions that span the full breadth of the industry: development financing, restructuring, asset management, ground-up development and mezzanine construction debt. Stan is a Cornell School of Hotel Administration graduate with a concentration in real estate and finance, and a licensed real estate broker in Utah. He lives and works in Park City, where CooperWynn continues to close deals in markets across all 50 states and the Caribbean.

Khalid (Khal) Ladha is Co-Founder & CEO of Roomiy Finance, a vertical fintech built for hotel owner-operators & their lending partners.. Khalid brings deep experience across hotel distribution, structured finance, and revenue management. Most recently, Khal was Managing Partner at Poppyseed Capital which specialized in the lending, yielding, and trading of alternative assets and commodity asset classes. He is a graduate of Cornell University.

Barry Landsberg brings over 25 years of global experience in the development of luxury and lifestyle branded residences. He advises developers and hospitality brands worldwide, delivering end-to-end expertise across mixed-use, master-planned, and standalone residential projects. Barry built his career with Fairmont Raffles/FRHI/Accor, where he supported a diverse international portfolio, and later as Vice President at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, leading residential development marketing and sales for both urban and resort projects throughout the Americas. Through his firm, Landsberg Residential Consulting, he partners with developers to establish brand collaborations, create branded standalone residential offerings, reposition existing assets, and guide hospitality and consumer brands in building the tools, resources, and operational infrastructure required to launch and sustain a branded residential platform. His experience spans the Americas, Caribbean, UK, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Philippines, and China. Barry has collaborated with many of the world’s most respected luxury hospitality brands - including Virgin Limited Edition, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Raffles, Jumeirah, Baccarat, and St. Regis - bringing deep insight into the strategic, operational, and commercial drivers that define best-in-class branded residential real estate.

Ben is responsible for overseeing Cedar Capital Partners’ investment activities in the United States. Ben most recently worked as an advisor to PointState Capital focusing on a significant hotel and real estate investment in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to joining PointState, Ben was Managing Director and Global Head of Lodging at Goldman Sachs.  During his 11 years at Goldman Sachs, he focused on M&A advisory assignments, capital raising, mortgage lending and restructuring. He advised on over US $50 billion of hotel transactions and his work spanned multiple geographies and ranged from single assets to corporate level transactions. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Ben worked at Bank of America Securities and began his career as a consultant for Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates. Ben received his BA in History from Georgetown University.

Brad LeBlanc is Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer for BWH® Hotels. Joining BWH Hotels in 2019, LeBlanc leads sales and development efforts in which he spearheads the North American expansion of BWH Hotels' core brands, Aiden®, SureStay Hotels®, @Home by Best Western℠, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, BW Premier Collection® by Best Western, and BW Signature Collection® by Best Western. He also serves on the brand’s senior executive team, playing a key role in shaping and executing BWH Hotels' long-term strategies. LeBlanc previously served on the executive team of Serendipity Labs, a hospitality-focused co-working brand launched in 2012 across North America. In 2004, LeBlanc successfully launched the Cambria Suites brand, an upscale hotel division of Choice Hotels.

Norman Leslie is Founder & CEO of National Hospitality Services, a Fargo, N.D.-based hotel management company operating 40 properties across the U.S. A lifelong entrepreneur with over four decades of experience, Leslie began his career at age 13 working as a dishwasher at his family’s roadside inn in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where he gained experience in every role from busboy to general manager. After earning his bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Manitoba, Leslie moved to Fargo and built and opened the Ramada Plaza Suites. In 1996, he co-founded Heritage Homes, a premiere homebuilder, before founding National Hospitality Services (NHS) in 2000, a top 100 U.S. hotel management company that provides comprehensive management services. He has also co-founded several real estate and investment ventures, including Bridge Hospitality LLC, Lodging Opportunity Fund REIT and Legendary Capital. Leslie has served many roles on the IHG Owners Association Global Board of Directors, including as 2022 chair and currently as past chair committee representative. He also served on the Extended Stay and People Committees and the Candlewood Suites Design Task Force. In these Association roles, he represents the interests of hotel owners globally, advocating to IHG to strengthen the returns on members’ investments.

Daniel H. Lesser, Co-Founder, President, & CEO of LW Hospitality Advisors has forty years of specialized experience in hospitality related real estate appraisals, economic feasibility evaluations, investment counseling, asset management, receivership, and transactional services of hotels, resorts, conference centers, casinos, mixed use facilities, spa & wellness properties, and timeshare/fractional ownership properties. An international authority and thought leader with iron clad credibility, Mr. Lesser offers a 360-degree, cross-functional and multidisciplinary lodging industry perspective. Proffering innovation and strategy, Mr. Lesser serves as a third-party advisor and independent expert witness, neutral arbitrator, business model canvasser, asset manager, property/business receiver, and as a principal investor, borrower, guarantor, franchisee. Mr. Lesser provides services to corporate, institutional, municipalities, and individual clients on all facets of hospitality real estate. Mr. Lesser has served as a Court Appointed Receiver in connection with dozens of hotels throughout the U.S. Prior to his hospitality advisory experience, Mr. Lesser held operational and administrative positions with Hilton Hotels Corporation and Eurotels-Switzerland. He is highly sought after to speak at lodging and real estate events, as well as lectures at prestigious institutions of higher education. Mr. Lesser is widely published and quoted in major newspaper, internet, business, real estate, and hospitality industry periodicals.

As Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Leven is responsible for overall portfolio development strategies which includes all aspects of evaluation, analysis and execution of real estate investment opportunities for Procaccianti Companies. As a Principal and senior member of the Investment Committee for more than a decade, Mr. Leven has played a critical leadership role in driving the Firm’s growth having been involved with hundreds of transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, and new hotel developments. His pragmatic approach, superior analytics and entrepreneurial vision have led to the expansion of the Firm’s national platform which now comprises approximately $2 Billion in diverse real estate assets currently under management. Since joining the Firm in 2002, Mr. Leven has also expanded relationships with institutional ownership groups, capital partners and global hospitality brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and InterContinental. Furthermore, through his leadership, Rob has helped to position Procaccianti Companies and its affiliates as one of the largest and most respected privately-held real estate investment and management firms in the United States. Prior to joining Procaccianti Companies, Mr. Leven held a senior position with a leading U.S. hotel brokerage firm and he was also one of the original founders of U.S. Franchise Systems in 1995. Mr. Leven is a graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

Barry Lieberman Heads the Hotel Franchise Finance platform for Western Alliance Bank. The group focuses on originating term loans, ground-up construction loans, note-on-note transactions, and senior/mezzanine financing. Barry’s prior role within the bank involved working with institutional sponsors based in the Northeast and Midwest. He has closed over $7 billion of hotel debt transactions. Barry graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in Finance and holds a Master’s of Management in Hospitality from The Cornell Hotel School.

Michael Lipson serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at Access Point Financial, LLC. He has more than 40 years of experience in finance, asset management and banking services. Prior to serving on the Access Point Financial board, he has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as Senior Vice President, Multifamily Asset Management & Operations for Freddie Mac. During his tenure in this position, Lipson led business operations and oversaw asset management and technology teams responsible for day-to-day functions, as well as risk and loss mitigation of the Freddie Mac Multifamily business. Additional responsibilities included overseeing all loan funding and servicing, surveillance, insurance, special servicing and risk governance activities. Other notable roles that Lipson has previously held include serving as President and CEO of Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC, Executive Vice President at Capmark Finance, Inc. and as President/Founder at Lexington Mortgage Company. Lipson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, as well as a Master’s Degree in Real Estate & Urban Development Planning from The American University. He is also recognized as a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

Matt Livian is a Managing Director at Prospect Ridge focusing on the hospitality sector, responsible for sourcing, executing and managing equity and debt investments. Prospect Ridge is a leading investment manager specializing in private equity real estate investing throughout the U.S. Through Prospect Ridge and its predecessor entities, the team has acquired over 130 investments totaling in excess of $14.5 billion of gross cost since inception including $2.6 billion of hospitality assets totaling over 12,000 keys. Prior to joining Prospect Ridge, Matt was the Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at the Sydell Group, an owner, developer and manager of unique hotels deeply rooted in their location and architecture. During his tenure, Matt led Sydell’s acquisitions efforts, overseeing the acquisition of over $1 billion worth of hotel real estate in major markets including New York, Los Angeles, Miami and London in addition to overseeing the Company’s corporate finance function. Prior to joining Sydell, Matt served as the Vice President of Acquisitions & Development at the Ian Schrager Company. The Ian Schrager Company is an owner, developer and manager of hotel & residential projects in gateway cities. Matt started his career in the investment banking division at Bear Stearns focusing on mergers, acquisitions and financings for real estate, gaming and lodging companies. Matt graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Tom Luersen provides executive leadership for CoralTree Hospitality Group, a hospitality management company launched in December 2018 following the acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality. CoralTree is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lowe, based in Los Angeles, and was formed by a seasoned group of hospitality executives with nearly 50 years of combined experience as owners, developers, and operators of independent luxury and lifestyle hotels and resorts. Tom brings more than three decades of hospitality leadership experience. He spent over 20 years with Destination Hotels, joining the company in 1998 at Sunriver Resort in Oregon, where he served as Managing Director and was a limited partner in the business. His career also includes senior executive roles with The Woodlands Corporation in Texas, where he led a diverse hospitality portfolio encompassing resorts, hotels, corporate conference centers, club operations, and master planning for a 36,000-acre community. Earlier in his career, Tom held executive leadership positions with Busch Properties, overseeing hospitality, golf, club, and condominium developments. He began his professional journey with Gaylord Hotels in Nashville, Tennessee, holding an executive management role at the original Opryland Hotel. Tom is actively engaged in the industry and community. He is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Resort Committee, Urban Land Institute, and Vistage Worldwide, and serves on the Colorado Lodging Association board. He is also the founder and board member of The Wonderland Express, a nonprofit supporting at-risk families. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University.

Keith Mack has been an integral part of the development and construction of significant projects in the Southeast since 1994. As the Founder and Managing Principal of Gibraltar Capital Partners, he plans to continue his track record of completing multiple projects in the hospitality, multifamily, and office sectors. Over his 30 plus year career, Keith has executed some of the City’s most iconic projects, including the Hotel Phoenix in the Centennial Yards Mixed-Use Development, the Thompson Buckhead, Thompson Savannah, and the Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Downtown Historic District in Charleston, South Carolina, in addition to more than a million square feet of office, retail and mixed-use development. Keith holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia, a Master of Science in Building Construction from the University of Florida, and Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University.  In 2009, Keith founded the Circle of Trust, a commercial real estate networking organization that boasts more than 8,000 members in Atlanta and Chicago. He is also a member of Urban Land Institute, Real Estate Executive Council, Partners for HOME, Leadership Cobb Alumni Association (Class of 2024) and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Rosanna Maietta is AHLA’s president & CEO and is responsible for setting the organization’s strategic vision and championing the industry’s voice on Capitol Hill, within the administration, and beyond. Rosanna is no stranger to the hospitality industry, having previously served at AHLA as executive vice president of communications & public relations and president & CEO of its Foundation for nearly eight years. In those roles, she was responsible for driving the strategic planning for all the association’s internal and external communications and increasing visibility for the industry in and outside Washington, D.C. At the Foundation, she oversaw its philanthropic mission, and supporting and growing the industry’s workforce. More recently, Rosanna served as chief communications officer and senior counselor to the CEO at the American Clean Power Association, the largest trade association representing the clean energy industry. In this role, she led all marketing and communications, highlighting the critical work in the renewable energy sector and raising the profile of the organization and its leadership. She also oversaw a portfolio of eight industry conferences and events, driving millions of dollars in revenue for the organization. Prior to her first stint at AHLA, Rosanna worked at global PR firm FleishmanHillard for nearly a decade and began her career working as a reporter in Rome, Italy.

Dhiren Masters serves as the Secretary of AAHOA, the world's largest hotel owners association with 20,000 members that collectively own 60 percent of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation's GDP. He previously served as AAHOA North Texas Regional Director. He has nine years of AAHOA leadership experience, including six years on the Board of Directors. He has served as a Board Member of the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association and on AAHOA's Strategic Planning Committee, Education & Professional Development Committee, Ad Hoc E-Commerce Committee, Ad Hoc Technology and Innovation Committee, and Young Professionals Focus Group. Masters is a partner at The Lion Group DFW, which owns and operates hotels throughout Texas. He has also worked in the private equity sector for close to a decade.

Rohit is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bridge, the leading marketplace for hospitality funding. Rohit spent over 10 years as a banker for large companies and saw firsthand that the offerings available to large companies were not accessible to medium-sized companies. Bridge is leveraging AI, technology, data, and partnerships to drive the same financing opportunities for all hoteliers as those enjoyed by large owners/developers. Bridge has created technology to help hotel owners create a digital loan package, compare options from lenders and close deals! Since its launch in 2024, Bridge has facilitated over $250 million in successfully closed deals, transforming how hotel owners and developers can finance growth and development.

Leslie assumes comprehensive responsibility for TGC Hospitality Management's expanding hotel portfolio specializing in extended stay. Her leadership is marked by decisive and constructive guidance, aimed at fostering robust hotel performance, delivering top-tier guest service, and meticulously adhering to all brand standards. TGCHM has recently focused on building 3rd party management and now manages approximately 1/3 3rd party and 2/3 owned hotels across the nation under seven different brands. Prior to her career in hospitality that started in 2016, Leslie had a 26-year career with Bank of America where she became Six Sigma Greenbelt certified and continues to focus on process efficiencies and productivity. In her personal life, Leslie and her husband, Kirk, live in Wichita, KS and are proud parents to a grown son, Jake, who has made Dallas his home. In their daily lives they are entertained by their two dogs, Twix, and Kimber.

Prath Mehta is Director of Asset Management at Westmont Hospitality Group in Houston, where he oversees a portfolio of luxury, upscale, select-service, and limited-service hotels, while also supporting the company’s expansion into alternate investments. With over two decades of experience across accounting, consulting, hotel brokerage, acquisitions, and asset management, Prath has worked in the United States, Canada, and India. His career has focused on taking on complex and underperforming assets and finding practical ways to improve performance through operational improvements, targeted capital investment, renovations, and strategic repositioning. He has also been involved in bringing international capital partners into U.S. hospitality investments, giving him a unique perspective on cross-border investment and ownership relationships. Outside of work, Prath enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. He is actively involved in mentoring high school students through programs such as DECA in Texas, where he volunteers and supports students interested in hospitality, finance, and business. He enjoys helping students explore industry careers and encouraging the next generation of hospitality professionals

Adnan is a corporate business and private securities attorney. Since co-founding MW Law in 2017, he has helped facilitate billions in investment transactions for private equity funds, real estate syndications, venture capital, and real estate/investment acquisition deals. Adnan focuses his practice on providing end-to-end legal services for clients by assisting them in structuring private investment funds, upkeeping securities compliance, and managing investment transactions for clients. Prior to co-founding the firm, Adnan served as in-house general counsel to a family venture office, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio and gained essential practical experience on investment dealings. Adnan has been recognized as D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40 for 5 years, he has been honored as a Super Lawyer: Rising Star, and been named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch List for multiple years.

Ayesha Molino is MGM Resorts’ Chief Operating Officer, a role to which she was appointed in January 2026. She oversees the company’s Las Vegas and regional properties as well as multiple corporate departments, including Sales, Revenue Management, Human Resources, Government Affairs, Public Relations, and Community Affairs. Previously, Ms. Molino simultaneously served as Chief Public Affairs Officer and President and COO of ARIA and Vdara. Before moving into operations, she was Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. Ms. Molino joined MGM Resorts in January 2017 from the U.S. Senate, where from 2011 – 2016 she served as first Counsel and later Chief Counsel to former Senate Majority and Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). From 2007 – 2011 she served as International Trade Counsel to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee under then-Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), during which she led the Committee’s work on Asia-focused trade matters, intellectual property rights, and international investment, among other issues. Prior to her time in the Senate, Ms. Molino served as an Attorney-Advisor in the Office of General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she supported the Department’s work on international trade and investment negotiations. She is a non-Executive Director of MGM China Holding Limited and serves on the Executive Committee of the American Gaming Association’s Board of Directors, the American Hotel & Lodging Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee of the Nevada Resort Associations Board of Directors. Ms. Molino received her BA from the University of California, Riverside, and her JD from The George Washington University Law School.

As Principal and Design Leader for DLR Group’s Hospitality Studio, Brian shapes destinations that leave a lasting imprint. With a career rooted in curiosity and a commitment to storytelling through space, he leads a national and international portfolio that redefines what hospitality can feel like. His approach blends visioning with placemaking, pushing beyond form and function to craft experiences that resonate on both grand and granular scales. Brian is known for his ability to distill complex aspirations into clear, compelling design narratives. He doesn’t just respond to context, he elevates it, merging architecture and hospitality in ways that invite exploration, comfort, and connection. His breadth of experience spans boutique and lifestyle hotels and urban getaways, where he has consistently delivered bold ideas with thoughtful execution.

Myers joined The Rivett Organization in 2015 as vice president of development, bringing a practical, owner-minded perspective to the organization’s real estate and development activities. During this time, he successfully spearheaded the end-to-end development of three My Place Hotel properties in strategic locations across the US. By securing the necessary equity funding, navigating complex municipal zoning, and closely working with construction partnerships to deliver all three projects from ground up to completion. In 2018, he transitioned into franchise development, where he has since become a key contributor to the growth of the My Place brand. His experience as an owner and developer has provided valuable insight into the needs of franchisees, enhancing both project execution and long-term relationship development and has been additive across numerous projects and relationships. His leadership has helped strengthen the foundation of our franchise development platform. Before coming to My Place Eric built a diverse commercial track record in different sectors excelling in both financial and sales roles. This dual leadership background allowed him to bridge the gap between high volume revenue generation and meticulous financial structuring. His current role is SVP of Franchise Sales & Development where he focuses on the core mission statement of the brand which is Welcome, Build Serve and Grow. Eric also serves on the AHLA Extended Stay Committee which is an elite working group of brand executives, owners, and operators dedicated to protecting and promoting the extended-stay lodging business model.

Chris O’Donnell serves as President of Aimbridge Hospitality’s Select Service division, overseeing one of the industry’s largest select service portfolios. He leads the division’s operational strategy with a focus on market driven performance, owner value creation, and disciplined execution. Chris leverages Aimbridge’s scale, data insights, and balanced scorecard framework to drive consistency across key metrics, including RevPAR performance, guest satisfaction, profitability, and market share. He is focused on strong owner relationships, operational clarity, and empowering regional teams -- all while reinforcing hospitality’s enduring foundation: authentic, people first service. With more than two decades of hospitality leadership, Chris has held senior roles across operations, sales, and marketing. He began his career as a bellman with Marriott, gaining a deep understanding of property level performance and guest expectations. He went on to elevated positions in leadership at White Lodging, Magna Hospitality, and Marriott International. Prior to joining Aimbridge, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Atrium Hospitality, guiding operational strategy across a national portfolio. Chris has been recognized as a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) from American Hotel & Lodging Association and received a certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University.

Jagruti Panwala is the Founder and President of Wealth Protection Strategies, where for more than 27 years she has advised individuals and business owners on asset protection, wealth transfer, business succession planning, life insurance, and investment management. A nationally recognized financial professional, Jagruti has earned numerous industry honors, including Signator's Platinum Level ACE Award. In 2014, she became the youngest inductee into Signator's Hall of Fame and has consistently been recognized by Osaic Wealth as one of the nation's top life insurance producers. Jagruti made history as the first and only woman to serve as Chairwoman of AAHOA, the world's largest hotel owners association, representing members who own more than 60% of the hotels in the United States. She is a respected advocate for small businesses, having testified before Congress in 2014, 2018, and 2023 on issues affecting business owners and the hospitality industry. She currently serves on the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Executive Board and is also a Board member of ACF. In 2025, Jagruti received the AHLA's inaugural Advocate of the Year Award for her leadership and impact. Born in Surat, India, Jagruti immigrated to the United States in 1991 and earned honors degrees in finance and economics. She is a frequent speaker of leadership, entrepreneurship, and women's empowerment, while remaining active in community service. Jagruti, her husband, and their two children reside in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Darshan Patel, Esq. is the Founding Partner of DPA Attorneys at Law, a hospitality-focused law firm representing business owners. As a seasoned hotel owner and developer himself, Mr. Patel brings a practical business perspective to real estate transactions, financing, contracts, and deal structuring. DPA Attorneys has earned a reputation in the industry for trusted counsel and efficient execution.

Kamalesh (KP) Patel serves as the Immediate Past Chairman of AAHOA, the world's largest hotel owners association, with 20,000 members who own 60 percent of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation's GDP. A second-generation hotelier, KP grew up immersed in the hospitality industry, learning the business firsthand from his parents. Today, he and his wife, Krishna, operate their family-owned properties in Santa Cruz, CA—carrying forward the same values of hard work, community, and perseverance. Before being elected as the 2025-26 Chairman, KP served as AAHOA's North Pacific Regional Director, where he played a pivotal role in making the region one of the highest-performing in the nation. His leadership journey includes five years as an AAHOA Ambassador, including several years as a Premier Ambassador, and active service on multiple industry-related committees focused on strengthening hotel ownership and operations. Throughout his involvement with AAHOA, KP has consistently advocated for transparency, engagement, and owner-driven leadership. His 2025–2026 platform, "Strengthening AAHOA Through Member Empowerment," centered on profitability, advocacy, governance, and the preparation of the next generation of hospitality leaders. Outside of his professional commitments, KP is a father of two who has enjoyed coaching his son's baseball team and giving back to his community through charitable events. Following in the footsteps of his father, Suresh (SP) Patel, KP is the second in his family to serve as North Pacific Regional Director—carrying forward a proud legacy of leadership within AAHOA and the hospitality industry.

Mehul Patel’s entrepreneurial journey began before he graduated high school when he co-founded a bulk mailing business, quickly scaling its sales before transitioning into hospitality. Alongside his family, he built a strong foundation in hotel development, overcoming early setbacks to create a thriving business. As a Managing Partner at NewcrestImage, Mehul oversees the company’s strategic growth, leading major acquisitions and investment initiatives. He has been instrumental in acquiring multiple hotel portfolios comprising over 90 hotels, reinforcing NewcrestImage’s position as an industry leader. His ability to adapt to changing market conditions and swiftly execute strategic decisions has been key to the company’s continued expansion. Beyond NewcrestImage, Mehul serves on the Board of Directors for Summit Hotel Properties, Inc., a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT). He is also a recognized thought leader in the hospitality industry, frequently speaking at NYU, Hunter, and ALIS conferences and contributing insights to leading lodging industry publications. Mehul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Texas at Arlington. His leadership and expertise in hospitality finance, acquisitions, and market adaptability continue to shape NewcrestImage’s growth and influence in the industry.

With $3,000 in savings, Mitch I. Patel founded Vision Hospitality Group, Inc. in 1997 with the goal of creating a company dedicated to excellence with a focus on community and family.  Over his career, Mitch and his team have developed over 60 hotels and currently hold a 44-property portfolio spanning eight states, with a valuation of over $1 Billion. In addition, Vision has a pipeline of 8 hotels that are either under construction or in development. These hotels are affiliated with premier brands such as Hilton Worldwide and Marriott International. Under Mitch’s leadership, Vision has been recognized numerous times for its efforts in development, design, community service, and service excellence. Vision has received the Marriott International Partnership Circle Award, the Marriott International Developer of the Year Award for both select and full Service, the Marriott International Serve 360 Award, and the Hilton Worldwide Multi-Brand Developer of the Year Award, amongst others. Mitch serves on the Marriott International Franchise Advisory Council, where he serves as the President of the AC by Marriott Franchise Advisory Council, the Hilton Worldwide Owner’s Advisory Council, the Executive Committee of American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), and AHLA’s No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Advisory Council. Mitch is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Mitch is an avid advocate for ending human trafficking in the hospitality industry. Mitch holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee.

Nilesh Patel is a dedicated commercial real estate and hospitality attorney at MW Law. Spending 15 years growing up inside of a motel/hotel, Nilesh has a wide range of experience in protecting business owners’ interests. As an attorney with a focus on the hospitality sector he brings a comprehensive approach to the practice, blending legal expertise with practical acumen. Prior to joining the firm, Nilesh spent part of his legal career serving as Associate General Counsel at the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association, where he represented hoteliers and other tourism industry professionals in day-to-day legal matters, hotel occupancy tax issues, and ownership issues. In addition, he advocated at the Texas State Capitol for legislation and regulations that would promote a strong and growing business climate within Texas. Nilesh’s experience spans from small to large real estate transactions, which allows him to determine what is adequate and required for specific properties, ensuring the best outcomes in acquisitions and dispositions. Moreover, as real estate and businesses are passed from generation to generation, Nilesh understands the legal concerns around family business succession planning when acquiring or disposing of and understands how to navigate complex ownership and management structures involving intricate corporate governance matters. Nilesh received his B.A. in Business Marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio and his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Western Michigan University – Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Pinal Patel of Goodlettsville, TN, serves as the Vice Chairman of AAHOA, the world's largest hotel owners association with 20,000 members that collectively own 60 percent of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation's GDP. He has served as Treasurer, an AAHOA Ambassador, and as AAHOA's Director at Large, Eastern Division. Pinal was born in Bardoli, India, and moved to the United States at the age of two. His family emigrated from India to Nashville, TN, in 1984. Pinal says his parents did not speak any English when they brought him and his 1-year-old brother to America. His parents bought their first independent hotel in 1991, and he is a second-generation hotelier. But he wasn't always planning on following in their footsteps. He graduated from flight school at Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, FL, but he bought his first franchise property soon after.

Rahul Patel serves as the Chairman of AAHOA, the world's largest hotel owners association with 20,000 members who collectively own 60 percent of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation’s GDP. He was born in Surat, India, and migrated to the United States in 2004 to pursue the American Dream. His wife and in-laws owned and operated a small motel in Winfield, KS, and Rahul purchased his first hotel in Indiana a few months later. Rahul's theme, “Strong Roots, Stronger AAHOA,” focuses on strengthening the association's foundation through deeper member engagement and shared experiences. He prioritizes protecting members' profitability by launching the AAHOA Marketplace and AAHOA Lending programs, advocating for solutions to rising insurance costs, growing AAHOA’s education offerings, and ensuring fairness in franchise relationships. Rahul completed his schooling at Vallabh Ashram in Gujarat, India, and obtained his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Brisbane, Australia. Today, he owns and operates several hotels and has two ground-up projects underway in Florida. Besides his professional achievements, Rahul is passionate about working with AAHOA, performing community service, and serving on his local TDC as an Advisory Board Member. AAHOA's 12 Points of Fair Franchising helped him avoid liquidated damages when he purchased his first hotel. Outside work, Rahul enjoys outdoor activities, such as playing volleyball and cricket, singing karaoke, and spending quality time with his family and friends.

Ravi Patel is the President of Hawkeye Hotels, one of the fastest-growing hotel owners and operators in the United States. Under his leadership, the firm has completed over 100 ground-up developments and acquisitions totaling more than $3 billion in transaction volume, transforming Hawkeye Hotels into a fully vertically integrated platform spanning development, ownership, and management. Beyond hospitality, Ravi is the Founder of Built By Iowa, a private equity firm backing high-potential, Iowa-based startups. Through this platform, he has invested in over 25 early-stage companies, helping fuel the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Midwest. Ravi serves on multiple influential boards, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Hilton Franchise Advisory Council, Iowa Venture Capital Association, Tippie College of Business Alumni Board, and West Bank Board. He is also an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa and a visiting lecturer at Georgetown University, where he teaches company building as a vehicle for both economic outcomes and personal evolution. A recognized industry voice, Ravi is a frequent speaker at national conferences and has been named to multiple “40 Under 40” and “Most Influential” lists. Under his leadership, Hawkeye Hotels has earned Developer of the Year honors from both Hilton and Marriott International. He lives in Iowa City with his wife Jessica and two children.

Subhash "Sam" Patel is the CEO of Natson Hotel Group, a full-service hotel management company that owns and operates more than 100 properties across major brands including Hilton, Marriott, IHG, G6 Hospitality, Wyndham and Choice-affiliated brands. The company currently operates more than 75 G6 Hospitality properties under the Motel 6 and Studio 6 flags, primarily across the Southeast and Northwest, including Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. G6 Hospitality recently signed a development agreement with Natson Hotel Group to open 18 Studio 6 Plus properties across multiple U.S. markets. Sam is a prominent leader within the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). As a second-generation hotelier, Sam emphasizes guiding the next generation toward identifying their passions and adjusting roles to ensure engagement and successful succession planning. He has been a long-time partner with G6/PRISM for over 20 years and advocates for the U.S. hospitality market, citing its unique stability and economic value compared to other global regions.

Tarun S. Patel is the Managing Principal of Sonari Capital Partners, a principal-led private equity firm focused on institutional-grade hospitality assets in the Top 150 U.S. markets. Sonari specializes in value-add investments and ground-up developments in high-barrier-entry markets, with a focus on lifestyle, select-service, and extended-stay hotels. Tarun has been involved in over $750 million in hospitality transactions. He has served on the Board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Travel Association. From 2010 to 2018, he was a member of the Board of Governors for Northcott Hospitality, where he was instrumental in the sale of AmericInn to Wyndham Worldwide. An active member of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) since 1995, Tarun was elected Treasurer in 2006—the first to be elected by the full membership—and served as Chairman in 2009–2010. He also led AAHOA’s Government Affairs efforts from 2011 to 2017. Tarun holds a degree in finance and economics from San Diego State University and completed postgraduate coursework at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. He resides in San Jose, California, with his wife and two daughters.

Trusha Patel is the Founder and CEO of Platinum Holdings, a hospitality investment and development firm known for its strategic acquisitions, ground-up construction, asset repositioning, and capital partnerships. Over a 28-year career, Trusha has built deep command of the hospitality investment landscape, having personally facilitated transactions exceeding $5 billion. Her expertise lies in aligning institutional capital with disciplined operational execution, consistently delivering strong returns for private equity sponsors, institutional partners, and family offices. Known for her broad network and deep industry relationships, Trusha brings a combination of strategic thinking and operational rigor to every transaction she undertakes. Her background—an M.A. in Psychology and an Executive MBA from Baylor University—gives her a sharp analytical lens for navigating complex negotiations, structuring sound investments, and building lasting relationships with capital partners. Under her leadership, Platinum Holdings continues to pursue compelling value-add opportunities and ground-up development projects, giving investors access to some of the sector's strongest growth prospects. A licensed commercial real estate broker and respected voice in the hospitality investment community, Trusha regularly speaks at the industry's leading conferences on capital formation, deal structuring, and where hotel real estate investment is headed.

Vimal (Ricky) Patel of Broussard, LA, serves as the Treasurer of AAHOA, the world's largest hotel owners association with 20,000 members that collectively own 60 percent of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation's GDP. He previously served as AAHOA Gulf Regional Director. Since immigrating to the U.S. at age 21, Ricky has owned both branded and independent hotels. He has served in a variety of AAHOA leadership positions, notably as Secretary, Ambassador, as Gulf Regional Director, and on multiple committees, including Government Affairs, Strategic Planning, Education & Professional Development, and Bylaws & Governance. He also chaired AAHOA ad hoc committees on two topics of importance to members and the hotel industry. These were focused on insurance, a role in which he led a search for affordable property premium options, and revenue generation, an initiative that raised $1.8 million in new funds for the association. Beyond his service in AAHOA, Ricky has achieved significant results on behalf of hotel owners through volunteer executive roles as a board member of the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation and as board chairman of Layette Travel.

Vinay Patel is the President and CEO of Fairbrook Hotels. Vinay is responsible for developing and implementing the vision and strategy for Fairbrook Hotels. Additionally, he heads the strategic planning, acquisitions, and sales of hotel assets. At the age of 8 he and his family migrated to the United States, where he assisted in housekeeping to front desk at the family motel. Upon graduating from college, he continued the family business with his father at a small 15 room motel in Richmond, Virginia. Here he learned the values of hard work and perseverance. Presently the company owns and operates 12 hotels consisting of Hilton, Marriott, Choice Hotels, Extended Stay America, and Wyndham Hotels brands. Along the way, Vinay has received many awards for his accomplishments and believes in giving back to the hotel business by being very active in the industry. Vinay presently serves on the Virginia Tech Hospitality School Advisory Board and the past Chairman of AAHOA and served on the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

David Pepper is Chief Development Officer of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world’s largest hotel companies. In this role, he is responsible for driving unit growth for each of the company’s brands in key markets worldwide and overseeing the Portfolio Management team through the franchisee lifecycle across domestic and Caribbean hotels and the development and strengthening of business relationships with franchisees. Mr. Pepper joined Choice Hotels in 2002 as vice president, franchise sales and development for the company’s new construction brands. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to senior vice president of franchise development for North America, and later to his current executive position. During his tenure, Mr. Pepper notably led the company to record levels of franchise sales. He also played an integral role in expanding Choice’s presence in both the upscale and extended stay hotel markets by launching and growing the Cambria Hotels brand. In addition, he helped with the acquisitions of the WoodSpring Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotels and Radisson Hotels Americas. Prior to joining Choice Hotels, Mr. Pepper served as vice president of franchise sales for Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns. He also served as director of franchise sales for Holiday Inn Worldwide. Mr. Pepper earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Tufts University. He is currently involved in numerous organizations, including the planning committee for the annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, the UJA-Federation Hospitality Division, a member of the AHLA Hospitality Investment Roundtable and Chairman of the Board of the Bullis School.

David Philp possesses a comprehensive background in lodging and real estate that spans greater than 30 years, with a specialization in the acquisition, development and disposition of hotels, mixed-use hospitality projects and resort properties. Since October 2013, David has provided oversight of the development and asset management platforms for the Canyon Group as its Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director. Prior to joining Canyon, David served as a senior development executive and advisor for numerous private and publicly held real estate companies, where he identified property acquisitions, sourced equity and debt and executed new projects with combined investment capital in excess of $2.0 billion. Mr. Philp is a graduate of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University and is often sought out by universities and other forums to lecture on various topics regarding hospitality real estate, including as a Distinguished Speaker for the Cornell Baker Program. David presides as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Resort Hotel Association, is an active member of the Resort Committee for American Hotel & Lodging Association and is a member and current Mentor for the Cornell Real Estate Council.

Keith Pierce was named Co-CEO of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation effective April 1, 2026. In this role, he shares responsibility for setting the company’s strategic direction, driving overall performance, and leading continued growth across Sonesta’s global portfolio. Keith joined Sonesta in March 2021 as Executive Vice President and President, Franchise & Development, where he oversaw the day-to-day franchise operations of Sonesta and Red Lion Hotels and led the company’s franchise and development teams, working closely with property owners and franchisees. He played a key role in expanding Sonesta’s franchising presence across the Americas and accelerating portfolio growth. Keith is a 35-year hospitality industry veteran. Prior to joining Sonesta, he served as President and Managing Partner of Passionality Group, a hospitality investment and management advisory firm. Earlier in his career, Keith held several senior leadership roles at Wyndham Worldwide, including Executive Vice President, Brand Operations for North America. He also served as President of Hotel Brand Operations for the Americas and Group President for Hotels at Cendant Corporation, Wyndham’s predecessor company. Keith is currently a member of the AHLA Board of Directors.

Ron Pohl is President of International Operations for BWH® Hotels and President of WorldHotels where he oversees the global operations team and works closely with international partners to expand the company’s portfolio in key destinations around the world. Pohl is responsible for growing the WorldHotels brand globally while providing industry-leading support to its hoteliers and ensuring superior revenue delivery. Pohl joined the company in 2007 and serves on the executive committee. In his prior role as Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, he led the brand’s operations and development efforts for North America and Asia. During his tenure with the company, Pohl was instrumental in repositioning the three core brands, Best Western®, Best Western Plus® and Best Western Premier®, and played a critical role in expanding the company’s portfolio with the launch of several new brands, including Executive Residency by Best Western®, @Home by Best Western℠, Aiden®, GLō®, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature Collection®. Pohl led the successful launch and growth of the company’s newest franchise model, SureStay Hotels®. Prior to joining BWH Hotels, Pohl spent 25 years with Boykin Management Company and Marriott Corporation where served in a number of senior-level positions. He currently serves on the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Board of Directors, the Advisory Board for Grand Canyon University and as a Senior Advisor of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Dave Pollin is the Co-Founder and President of The Buccini/Pollin Group (“BPG”), co-headquartered in Washington, DC and Wilmington, DE.  He serves as Chairman of PM Hotel Group, a Top-10, independent hotel management company based in Chevy Chase, MD.  Mr. Pollin is also a Founding Principal of Corten Real Estate Partners, a middle-market private equity investment platform with approximately $600mm AUM and a robust senior loan origination program. The Buccini/Pollin Group has acquired and developed over $6 billion of properties in every real estate asset class throughout the United States since its founding in 1993.  BPG is the developer, owner and operator of over 65 hotels, seven million square feet of office space, 20 major residential communities, numerous retail properties, and multiple sports/entertainment venues, including Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union MLS team.

After graduating from Ohio University with a degree in journalism, Alissa Ponchione received her master’s in literature from American University in Washington, DC in 2009. She has held editor roles at Nightclub & Bar magazine and Hotel News Now, both based in Cleveland, before moving to New York in 2013, where she landed a job at Hospitality Design magazine as associate editor. Since then, she has worked her way up to the role of editor in chief, and for the past 13 years, has helped guide the editorial direction of both the magazine and website. Additionally, Alissa has also been instrumental in organizing HD’s signature events, including the HD Awards, Wave of the Future, Platinum Circle, and HD Expo + Conference.

Vicki Poulos brings 15 years of brand, marketing, and division leadership experience to IHG Hotels & Resorts, with a track record of building and scaling culturally relevant brands and repositioning legacy brands across the hospitality and technology sectors. Her career has been defined by an ability to link bold creativity with clear business strategy, enabling organizations to unlock new growth, elevate brand relevance, and deliver high-impact quality. Before joining IHG, Vicki led transformative brand and marketing initiatives for both emerging and established companies, guiding teams through periods of rapid evolution and driving work that reshaped customer perception and market position. As a passionate people leader, Vicki is committed to developing and coaching high-performing teams and championing meaningful organizational change.

Regina Pruitt is Chief Financial Officer of Cote Hospitality, where she oversees finance, accounting, technology, development, and strategic growth initiatives across a diverse portfolio of hospitality assets. With more than 15 years of experience in hotel and resort finance, she has held leadership positions with Cote Hospitality, Charlestowne Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group Americas, Radisson Blu Mall of America, and PGA National Resort. Throughout her career, Regina has built a reputation for translating complex financial information into actionable business strategies, leading organizational transformation, and developing high-performing teams. She has extensive expertise in budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, cash flow management, system implementations, and financial reporting across hotels, resorts, golf, spa, and mixed-use hospitality operations. A recognized hospitality finance leader, Regina has significant experience implementing and operationalizing the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) across both individual properties and multi-property portfolios. She has led portfolio-wide reporting standardization initiatives, aligned financial operations with evolving USALI guidance, and developed finance education programs that help operators better understand and apply industry financial standards. Passionate about advancing the profession, she is committed to strengthening consistency, transparency, and financial best practices throughout the hospitality industry. Her work continues to drive operational excellence, informed decision-making, and sustainable growth for hospitality organizations. When she’s not immersed in hospitality finance, Regina can often be found with a good book in hand, tending her garden, or spending time outdoors with her rescue pup, Ozzie.

Kerry Ranson is President and Partner of Raines Company, one of the hospitality industry's leading hotel management, development, investment, and advisory firms. With more than 30 years of experience spanning hotel operations, third-party management, development, asset repositioning, acquisitions, and strategic growth, he is widely recognized as a respected leader and innovator in the lodging industry. As President, Ranson helps guide the company's strategic vision, growth initiatives, owner relations, development activities, and operational performance across a diverse portfolio of branded and independent hotels. His leadership is centered on building high-performing teams, creating value for owners and investors, and identifying opportunities to strengthen long-term portfolio performance. Prior to joining Raines Company, Ranson served as Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Partner of HP Hotels. He also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Expotel Hospitality Services. An active industry advocate, Ranson served as Chairman of the IHG Owners Association and held numerous board and advisory positions supporting hotel owners and operators nationwide. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Travel Association, helping advance tourism, economic development, and hospitality initiatives throughout Louisiana. A native of New Orleans and graduate of the University of New Orleans, Ranson is a frequent speaker on hospitality operations, hotel investment and development, asset management, organizational culture, leadership, and industry growth strategies.

Robert Rauch, CHA, is CEO of the hospitality consultancy, R. A. Rauch & Associates, Inc. He sold RAR Hospitality, his management arm, in February 2020 and retained management of several owned hotels in California by forming a new entity, Brick Hospitality. Rauch serves as Chairman of this new company that owns and operates hotels. Their portfolio includes 6 existing hotels. Widely recognized as the hotel guru, Mr. Rauch maintains a blog where he expounds upon insights and trends in the hospitality industry at www.hotelguru.com. Along with the blog, he also writes a monthly article for CoStar’s Hotel News Now and published his first book in time for last year’s Lodging Conference. With a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration from Western International University and a master’s degree in Tourism Administration from Arizona State University, Rauch has served as president and on the board of numerous tourism organizations. He is a Retired Faculty member at Arizona State University and is widely quoted on television and radio, and in numerous publications, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Los Angeles Times, among many others.

Stephanie Ricca sets the editorial and content direction for the hotel reporting team at CoStar News and its suite of newsletters, website and multimedia content. She also manages content for the Hotel Data Conference. A frequent speaker and moderator at industry events, Stephanie has covered the global hotel industry for more than 15 years. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Ryan J. Rivett is a hospitality executive, entrepreneur, developer, and builder whose leadership spans more than 40 companies and 600 employees. As Co-founder, President, and CEO of My Place Hotels of America, he has helped grow the brand from its 2012 launch to more than 120 franchises supported by a national operations platform and experienced leadership team. Under his direction, My Place was recognized by Inc. Magazine as the fastest-growing hotel company of 2020. Rivett is also Co-founder and CEO of Legacy Builders, a nationwide general contracting firm focused primarily on hospitality construction. Since 2007, the company has completed more than 100 projects valued at over $400 million. His hands-on experience across development, construction, ownership, franchising, and operations gives him a uniquely integrated perspective on the hotel business. As President and CEO of Legacy Management, Rivett oversees a professional hotel management platform operating 30 assets across the United States. His leadership emphasizes people, operational consistency, innovation, and measurable performance. Beyond his companies, Rivett contributes his experience as a board member, fiduciary, and industry advocate. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and participates in additional corporate, community, and philanthropic organizations. Outside of business, Rivett is a devoted father and stepfather of six. He and his family enjoy traveling, skiing, hunting, fishing, and exploring new places. Colleagues know him as a motivator, problem solver, educator, and energetic leader who brings a builder’s mindset to every challenge. His work reflects commitment to hospitality, community, and sustainable growth.

Alan Roberts serves as Brand Leader of Hilton Garden Inn. He is responsible for overall brand strategy, including driving growth and development, diversifying and increasing revenue, building and sustaining guest loyalty and brand culture. Roberts brings over 30 years of hospitality experience, spanning roles from porter to General Manager. In his previous role, he served as the Global Head of Embassy Suites by Hilton. His journey with Hilton began in 2004, initially as a Director within the Hilton Garden Inn Brand Performance & Sales Support team. Over time, he ascended to the position of Vice President. In 2016, Roberts assumed his inaugural Global Head role with Embassy Suites by Hilton, where he dedicated four years before stepping into his current role. Roberts graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Hospitality Management.

Carlos Rodriguez, Jr. is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Driftwood Capital, a vertically integrated hospitality investment and operating platform managing approximately $3.5 billion in gross asset value, and a member of the Investment Committee. Mr. Rodriguez, Jr. is responsible for day-to-day operations, new product development, and investment strategy. Before becoming CEO, Mr. Rodriguez, Jr. served as Chief Operating Officer of the firm. Mr. Rodriguez, Jr. previously served as Vice President of Development for Driftwood Hospitality Management, where he oversaw ground-up construction projects and launched the firm’s EB-5 financing program. Prior to founding Driftwood Capital, Mr. Rodriguez, Jr. led Driftwood Acquisitions and Development and served as a Managing Partner at Casanovo Partners, a commercial real estate development firm, where he managed ground-up developments. Mr. Rodriguez, Jr. began his career at LNR Property, the world’s largest CMBS special servicer and B-Piece loan buyer, working across Surveillance, Asset Management, REO, and Special Resolutions. Mr. Rodriguez, Jr. holds a B.A. in International Business with a concentration in Economics and a certificate in Markets & Management from Duke University.

Nicole Rogers is the General Manager of Avalara’s Travel & Hospitality business, bringing more than 25 years of experience across travel, technology, eCommerce, and fintech. Prior to joining Avalara, Nicole held senior leadership roles at Booking.com, Intent (now BlackCrow AI), and Microsoft, where Nicole built and led high-performing teams, secured major strategic distribution partnerships, and drove sustained growth across global markets. Nicole’s work has consistently focused on forging impactful supply- and demand-side relationships and helping organizations scale effectively across key regions worldwide. At Avalara, Nicole leads teams responsible for delivering state-of-the-art agentic tax solutions that address the travel industry’s most pressing needs.

Michael has served as Regional Vice President, U.S. Select Brands, Eastern Region, since March 2024, overseeing the development and growth of Marriott’s Select Service brands across the Eastern United States. Prior to this, Michael held the position of Vice President, Owner & Franchise Services from October 2010 to March 2024. In that capacity, he managed groups responsible for the development impact process, renovation compliance, franchise relicensings, owner communications, and the Marriott owner database. He worked on a variety of transactions for managed and franchised hotels, including workouts for distressed assets.  Prior to his stint in Owner & Franchise Services, Michael worked for 8 years as an attorney in Marriott’s Law Department, supporting development and operations for franchised hotels. Before joining Marriott, Michael worked in the law department at America Online and for law firms in Asia and New York.

Mr. Sanchez serves as the President of Ashford Inc. In this role, he is responsible for the overall business performance and financial outcomes of the organization. He focuses on driving coordination, alignment, and efficiency across the Ashford Group of Companies, ensuring that operating units work cohesively and that cross-functional initiatives support the company’s broader strategic objectives. Prior to his appointment as President, Mr. Sanchez served as the Chief Executive Officer of Premier, an Ashford subsidiary, and as the Head of Real Estate Development for Ashford Inc. since joining the organization in 2020. During his tenure at Premier, he led the successful rebuilding and repositioning of the firm during the pandemic, expanding its third-party services with more than 150 new contracts and establishing a growth platform in the multi-family and student-housing sectors. Under his leadership, Premier incubated an in-house architecture studio, launched a general contracting division, and advanced a development pipeline exceeding $1 billion in estimated value. Before joining Ashford, Mr. Sanchez spent nearly two decades in senior leadership roles within the energy sector. He was the Senior Vice President of North America and Global Corporate Development at Rubicon Oilfield International. Previously, he spent 15 years at National Oilwell Varco (NOV), serving as Vice President of Sales and Operations for North America, where he oversaw a $500 million revenue budget and a team of 700 employees. Mr. Sanchez earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston.

Meet a former aerospace engineer who slept with a Tonka truck growing up who exudes a deep passion for all things construction. Suzanne has over 25 years of experience working for nationally branded companies in a variety of corporate real estate and development roles. She joined Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) in May of 2023 as senior vice president of design & construction. In January of 2025 HVMG announced the launch of ELEVATE Renovations + Development by HVMG which is a re-branding of HVMG’s already successful third-party project management renovation department. She is responsible for leading the construction and engineering teams in all aspects of development, renovation, and asset management activities. Suzanne is a member of HVMG’s executive leadership team. HVMG is an Atlanta based, private hotel investment, ownership, and management company. She was also vice president of design & construction with HVMG from 2017 to 2022. Prior to HVMG, Suzanne worked for First Hospitality as Senior Vice President of Construction and Renovation. She was also Vice President – Design Services at Hyatt. Saunders has also worked in the manufacturing and logistics planning industries. Her first role was working for LTV Aerospace/Northrup Grumman, where as an industrial engineer she held a secret military clearance and worked in the design and manufacturing area of the B-2 Stealth Bomber Program. She is involved with NEWH and a cohort of Castell, an AHLA Foundation Project. Saunders received her Bachelor of Science and Associate of Applied Science degree in industrial technology and drafting technology from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

Russ provides sophisticated legal services for clients on hotel development, strategic planning, transactions, franchising and operational matters, including finance, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, management agreements, and franchise.  Russ’s prior experience in the hospitality industry includes positions at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (Vice President, Associate General Counsel), and at The Ground Round, Inc. (Director of Legal Affairs - acting General Counsel and Corporate Secretary).  With offices in New York City, Boston, New Haven, Scottsdale, Seattle and Tacoma, Sandman Savrann delivers its exceptional service and value through its fifty plus highly regarded industry counselors and para professionals, who are distinguished by their extensive knowledge, experience, and contacts in the hospitality industry.  They lead our comprehensive legal team, handling all the special needs and structures of the industry, as well bringing to bear in-depth practice and technical knowledge in real estate, restructuring, finance, litigation, employment, securities, and tax.  Russ is also principal and co-founder of RISA Hospitality Solutions LLC, a full-service hospitality consulting firm specializing in facilitating off market hotel, residential and mixed-use development in major markets including New York City and matching private equity and debt with projects.

Jared serves as head of originations for Peachtree Group, overseeing all commercial real estate and hotel lending, as well as the firm’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) lending program. With nearly 20 years of lending experience, Jared has originated more than $7.0 billion in commercial loans and $1.5 billion in CPACE transactions. Previously, Jared served as a loan officer for Voya Financial, where he was responsible for originating construction, bridge, and permanent loans ranging from $10 million to $200 million. Prior to Voya, Jared co-founded the real estate lending platform at AloStar Bank, where he grew the commercial real estate balance sheet to more than $500 million. He began his career as an underwriter for Colony Capital. Jared earned a Business Administration degree in Real Estate Finance from the University of Georgia.

Cameron Schultz has been the CEO of Foodbuy Hospitality since 2025 after three successful years as President of ClubProcure, Foodbuy’s sector focusing on private clubs and golf courses. Cam brings a comprehensive vision to the Foodbuy Hospitality and ClubProcure teams thanks in part to his two decades of professional experience. He is a frequent speaker at various industry association meetings including PGA and GCSAA and is the guiding force working alongside the CMAA in forming their annual Chef Summit. Cam earned a B.A. in both Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Northern Iowa.

Matt Schwartz currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Sage Hospitality Group. In this capacity, Matt has responsibility for all aspects of IT including applications, infrastructure, business intelligence, project management, and cybersecurity across Sage Hospitality’s portfolio of 100+ hotel and restaurant properties. Matt focuses on five key areas: Business Intelligence & Analytics (BI), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Cybersecurity, Improving the Guest Experience, and Increasing Associate Productivity. These days Matt is busy leading AI change management across Sage, finding ways to increase AI awareness and adoption, and deploying AI solutions that are proprietary and differentiating. Prior to joining Sage, Matt served as the VP of Digital Solutions at Intrawest (now Alterra Mountain Company) where he led the rollout of a CRS to all of Intrawest’s resort properties including Winter Park and Steamboat. Prior to Intrawest, Matt held various leadership positions in IT and Finance at PetSmart and Staples. Matt earned a B.S. with Honors from Cornell University and an M.B.A from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Outside of work, Matt is the co-founder of Ramsi – www.ramsi.com – an agentic AI solution for hotel room pricing. Matt also enjoys tennis, skiing, fly fishing, and hikes with his goldendoodle.

Mark Sergot, Chief Development Officer, Americas, leads IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Americas Development organization, overseeing growth across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In this role, Mark is responsible for advancing IHG’s hotel deal pipeline across its Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials, and Suites portfolios. With over 25 years of experience in hospitality sales and commercial leadership, Mark has driven enterprise growth and revenue strategy at IHG since 2020. He has shaped the company’s sales and commercial approach, previously serving as Senior Vice President of Global Sales and earlier as Vice President, Global Sales Operations & Enablement. Prior to joining IHG, Mark spent more than 16 years with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, holding a range of senior sales leadership roles. He currently represents IHG on the Board of the U.S. Travel Association and is based in Atlanta.

Dallas Setser is an award-winning hospitality executive with nearly four decades of experience spanning hotel operations, sales, marketing, and franchise development. As a leader with Sonesta International Hotels, Dallas has earned the company's highest honors, including Franchise Developer of the Year in 2021 and 2024, Franchise Development Team Member of the Year in 2023, and induction into the prestigious 1937 Club in 2025.A driving force behind the growth of Sonesta’s extended stay portfolio, Dallas works closely with owners and investors to expand and strengthen the company's flagship extended stay brands: Sonesta ES Suites, Sonesta Simply Suites and Americas Best Value Studios. His expertise in hotel development, brand strategy, and revenue optimization has helped position these brands for continued success in one of the hospitality industry's fastest-growing segments. Throughout his career, Dallas has helped hotel owners maximize performance through strategic brand growth, operational excellence, and market-driven solutions that improve occupancy, RevPAR, guest satisfaction, and overall asset value. Known for his practical, owner-focused approach, Dallas combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for helping hoteliers achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.

Rushi Shah is Chairman and CEO of Mag Mile Capital, Inc. (ticker: MMCP) and leads the firm’s strategy and innovation, as well as arranging commercial financing for all property types nationwide. Rushi has close to 20 years of experience in financial services. Before leading Mag Mile Capital, Rushi was Executive Vice President and top producer for the firm’s predecessor Aries Capital, closing over $250 million in debt and equity financing in his first two years, launching a streamlined online-based lending platform, and expanding Aries Capital’s already extensive capital source network. Prior to his role at Aries, Rushi held positions at Chicago’s Northern Trust Bank in its Derivatives Credit Strategy, Structured Finance, Private Equity Fund and Hedge Fund groups, as well as its London offices. During his tenure at the bank, Rushi participated in closing over 300 commercial finance transactions nationally, helped build a risk measurement framework for exotic interest rate derivatives and foreign exchange instruments, and launched the technology solution and models for the bank’s over-the-counter derivatives activity. Rushi has completed over $1 Billion of financing transactions in his career. Rushi holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the University of Illinois, where he graduated with honors. He was also awarded a fellowship in the Riordan Fellows Leadership Development Program at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. Rushi frequently serves as a panelist at local and national industry events, and contributes to multiple real estate publications.

As a design editor for more than 20 years, Stacy Shoemaker Rauen has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly across all facets of hospitality. This expert brand builder and passionate community connector was formerly the driving force behind Hospitality Design magazine, its website, podcast, and events. She is a master curator, from finding the right content to bringing together the right mix of people and layering in all the right details. As a result, she has made countless memorable experiences, told thousands of stories, moderated hundreds of panels, emceed numerous awards shows and YouTube walkthroughs, helped launch careers, and created immeasurable ROI for hundreds of companies. Recently, she co-founded Stay and Gather, an experiences and media company created for the people who design, produce, and shape hospitality spaces. Stay and Gather’s memorable events—from intimate dinners to larger experiential gatherings—spark new ideas, help build businesses, and form lasting relationships. Launching soon, a digital media platform/magazine will celebrate the stories behind great spaces and people—highlighting the creators, process, results, and ideas that make them noteworthy. Through Joy of Design Consulting, she collaborates with hospitality and design brands to craft meaningful stories, thoughtful strategies, and inspired experiences that connect with people—and elevate every detail of the brand journey. She is a noted speaker at industry events, and as an avid tracker of trends, places, projects, and people, and has been quoted in various respected media outlets including CNBC and the Washington Post. She also holds two degrees from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

Stacy Silver, ISHC is President of Silver Hospitality Group, a boutique consulting firm specializing in building revenues and profitability for hospitality companies through targeted industry relations outreach, creative marketing solutions, and special events. A 25-plus year hospitality veteran, Silver has a long track record of assisting companies with brand strategic direction and launches, key partner relationships, marketing collateral and events such as roundtables, specialty corporate conferences as well as focus groups for the hospitality industry. Since the inception of Silver Hospitality Group six years ago, she has been recognized as an industry leader and most recently as one of the top 30 influential women in hospitality by Hotel Management magazine. She has also founded timely and innovative hospitality events such as the Distressed Hotel Summit and the Revenue Strategy Summit, now in its 6th year. Prior to launching Silver Hospitality Group, she served as Executive Director, Business Development, and Sales for Questex Hospitality Events. Throughout her career, Silver has held increasingly influential positions with two of the industry’s leading media companies, serving in such capacities as vice president, publisher, executive director events and executive director digital media, for Hotel Business (ICD Publications) and Hotel Management (Questex Media Group). Silver also is a frequent speaker at major industry events. She holds a Bachelors degree from SUNY Oneonta. Silver resides in Florida with her husband, Scott, and their two children, Alex and Rayna.

Seth Singerman founded Singerman Real Estate, LLC (“SRE”) in 2010 and is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the firm. SRE is a value-driven real estate investment firm that has deep experience executing complex transactions and unlocking embedded value through the ownership of properties, real estate loans and operating companies. SRE focuses on maximizing risk-adjusted returns through investments in both debt and equity across all major asset classes including industrial, hospitality, retail, office and multifamily in addition to secondary real estate asset classes such as life science. Since 2010, SRE has sourced and executed, with partners, over $5.0 billion of investments across the major property types on behalf of institutional investors including public and private pensions, endowments, foundations, and asset management firms. Prior to forming SRE, Mr. Singerman was a Managing Director of GEM Realty Capital (“GEM”), where he worked from 1999-2009 and was the youngest partner in the history of the firm. At GEM, he was the only partner to have senior investment responsibility for both GEM Realty Securities, a long-short hedge fund and GEM Realty Properties, a direct investment opportunity fund. Mr. Singerman championed the utilization of relationships with public real estate companies to source direct real estate investment opportunities. He received his MBA with a concentration in Real Estate and Finance from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, and his B.S. with a concentration in Real Estate and Finance from Cornell University where he graduated as a Ye Host Honor.

Craig S. Smith is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aimbridge Hospitality, the world’s leading hotel management company and trusted operator of approximately 1,000 hotels worldwide and more than 80 globally recognized hotel brands. At Aimbridge, Craig is driving a comprehensive business transformation -- advancing an owner-centric approach and driving a performance culture with lasting impact across North America, EMEA, and LATAM. A mentor and champion of talent, Craig is a strong advocate for personal growth, professional development, and the future of the travel and tourism industry. His career is defined by operational excellence and expertise, broad international experience, and a commitment to visionary leadership rooted in disciplined performance management. Craig started his career in housekeeping, advancing through various positions to become a five-time award-winning hotel General Manager before taking on senior leadership roles across multiple continents with Marriott International. Prior to joining Aimbridge, he served as Group President of Marriott’s International Division, overseeing nearly 2,500 hotels in 136 countries and territories and fueling expansion of the company’s fastest-growing development pipeline. Craig has lived in 13 countries, is the father of five, and speaks multiple languages. An adventurer at heart, he is also a certified private pilot and master scuba diver.

Julienne Smith is Head of Americas Growth at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, where she leads the strategic expansion of Hyatt’s portfolio across North, Central, and South America. She oversees development initiatives for Hyatt’s Luxury, Lifestyle, Classics, and Essentials brands and partners with hotel owners, investors, and developers to advance the company’s long-term growth strategy across the region. Smith brings more than 20 years of hospitality industry experience, with expertise in hotel development, market strategy, owner relations, and brand expansion. Before returning to Hyatt, Smith served as Chief Development Officer for the Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts. She led a team of more than 70 professionals responsible for franchise sales, hotel management agreements, asset retention, market planning, and owner marketing, while strengthening owner relationships and expanding new brands across the Americas. Earlier, Smith spent 14 years at Hyatt, most recently as Senior Vice President of Development and Owner Relations, where she helped grow Hyatt’s select-service portfolio and led development across the U.S. and Canada. She began her career with Marriott International in development planning and franchise sales. Smith serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for Boston University’s School of Hospitality, participates in the Urban Land Institute’s Hotel Development Council, and recently joined the board of Procure Impact. She has also held leadership roles with the AHLA Foundation, SafeHouse Outreach, and Kaleidoscope, Inc., and is an active volunteer with Passion City Church. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University.

Rob Smith is a seasoned hospitality executive with nearly 30 years of industry experience currently serving the Denver-based hotel management firm Stonebridge as their Chief Executive Officer & President. Prior to this role, Smith was the President of Aimbridge Hospitality's Full Service, Luxury, & Resort Division where he spent 12 years expanding their portfolio. Earlier in his career, he spent almost two decades in the Caribbean managing large Resorts, Spas, and Casinos. Rob also served as the CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and the Aruba Convention Bureau; a public role where his leadership is credited in contributing to the island's growth as a premier travel destination. In addition to his executive role, Smith currently holds Board positions with several leading industry organizations, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the Marriott Rooms Advisory Board, and the Westin Brand Advisory Board. Rob states his most significant role is husband to his wife of nearly three decades, Diana and father to their four children.

Vinnie is a construction executive with more than 25 years of experience leading complex hospitality, sports and entertainment venue, cultural, civic, commercial, and luxury retail projects throughout the United States. Beginning his career in New York City, he developed a strong foundation managing complex urban renovation projects before relocating permanently to Los Angeles in 2014 to expand his work throughout the Southern California and West Coast markets. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership roles with nationally recognized builders including Shawmut Design and Construction, Schimenti Construction Company, and The PENTA Building Group, where he currently serves as Project Executive. With extensive experience delivering projects within highly active and operationally sensitive environments, Vinnie is recognized for his expertise in logistics planning, stakeholder coordination, phased construction, and maintaining uninterrupted operations throughout construction. His ability to lead collaborative teams, navigate complex project challenges, and build lasting client relationships has contributed to the successful delivery of high-profile developments across major metropolitan markets nationwide.

Mr. Stanner serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. He was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and to the Board effective January 15, 2021. Mr. Stanner served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from March 2018 to January 2021. Mr. Stanner served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer from April 2017 to March 2018. He serves as Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and sits on the brand council of AC Hotels for Marriott International, Inc. and on the Hyatt Owners’ Advisory Council. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Stanner served as Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. ("Strategic Hotels"), which was publicly traded until being sold to an affiliate of The Blackstone Group L.P. in December 2015. Mr. Stanner held increasingly senior positions with Strategic Hotels during his tenure, including Director of Corporate Finance, Senior Vice President - Capital Markets, Acquisitions, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Strategic Hotels, Mr. Stanner worked in investment banking with Bank of America. Mr. Stanner also serves on the Board of Partnership for Children, an Austin, TX based non-profit organization. Mr. Stanner earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Business Administration, both from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University.

David Sudeck’s practice primarily involves the complex issues associated with major commercial real estate projects, particularly those involving hotels, resorts, restaurants, and mixed-use hospitality projects. David is a seasoned real estate attorney and dealmaker with an international reputation for his experience with projects with a hospitality component. He focuses in particular on providing practical counsel on critically important management and branding agreement issues. He is also widely recognized for providing top business and legal advice to hotel owners and lenders in the purchase, sale, development, construction, financing, leasing, and sale-leaseback of properties. When he is not working on traditional senior debt or mezzanine financings for owners or lenders, David is likely working on creative joint ventures or “alternate” commercial property assessed clean energy (“C-PACE”) or EB-5 financings. Over the past few years alone, David and his team have closed more than $600 million of C-PACE financings, and $1.7 billion of EB-5 financings. David serves on the Public Policy Committee of Invest in the USA (“IIUSA”), the EB-5 industry’s trade group for regional centers.

Craig Sullivan is the Founder of the California Lodging Investment Conference & [CLIC] Media ™. He launched [CLIC] in 2017 to create the only lodging investment conference focused exclusively on the California Hotel Market. Craig was the co-host, co-creator and co-producer of ‘Check Out California®’, the only California focused hospitality, travel, and tourism radio show. Along with launching [CLIC] Connect® an online interview award winning show featuring leaders in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries. The show’s engaging format films on location or in the [CLIC] Connect Studios. Also launched in 2019 Akira HG a hotel consulting and investment group and in 2021 Craig teamed up with Glenn Haussman to co-create & co-host Friday Night Audit. Craig was also the publisher of The Hotel Report, a monthly hospitality newsletter that reached a circulation of 60,000 hotel professionals globally. Craig has served in executive positions and business development roles at CDO, Broughton Hotels, EVP, Westpark Investments, EVP, 24/7 Hotels, and VP & Manager of North American Title Company's Hotel Group that he created. Craig has helped underwrite and close 25 billion dollars in hotel transactions. His deals cover national and global hotel sales, refinancing, and construction loans, including 2.2 billion dollars’ worth of transactions in one year. Craig is a connector and advisor, and passionate about giving back to the community, advocates for women's equality, and supports charitable causes. Craig’s affiliations include AAHOA, IHI, CREW-OC, AH&LA, CLIA, ILLA,CHLA, Director Bowman Post Group Foundation and Hospitality Internships Industry Advisory Committee (IAC).

Christina Trauthwein is the VP, Content & Partnerships of Hotel Business, overseeing all print, digital and face-to-face products. Previously, she was Editor-in-Chief of professional publications in the architecture and interior design communities, both commercial and residential. Christina’s 30+ years of brand leadership—in both print and digital media—has been focused on strategizing, developing and creating content about need-to-know industry topics, trends, industry leaders and cutting-edge projects and products.

Heather Turner is the CEO of Tamarack Capital Partners, a privately held real estate investment firm engaged in the acquisition, redevelopment, and management of hospitality assets. The firm invests with best-in-class institutional and high-net-worth partners in full-service hotels and resorts nationwide. Ms. Turner has been involved in several billion dollars of real estate transactions. Before founding Tamarack in 2018, she was managing partner of DiNapoli Capital Partners. Previously, she led hotel platforms for Maritz Wolff & Co. and Broadreach. She also oversaw planning for Disney’s theme park and hotel division, worked for Goldman Sachs, and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Heather is a member of the AHLA Investment Roundtable and of YPO, where she chairs the Women’s Real Estate Network. She is a former member of the ULI Hotel Council and past president of the HAMA. She is a repeat guest lecturer on hospitality and real estate investments at USC, Santa Clara, FSU and UCLA. She and her husband are the proud owners of Diesel bookstore in Los Angeles. Ms. Turner earned a BS in international business from Florida State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Rob Uhrin is a leader in Cooper Carry’s national hospitality practice, directing a dynamic studio in the firm’s Alexandria office. Working closely with colleagues across the country, he leads the design of a wide range of upscale hospitality projects—from large convention center hotels and destination resorts to distinctive boutique properties in urban and resort settings. After beginning his career in Atlanta working across multiple building types, Rob ultimately found his passion in hospitality design. That diverse architectural background gives him a unique ability to shape hospitality environments within complex mixed-use developments—an approach that reflects Cooper Carry’s philosophy of creating vibrant, connected places. Rob is particularly drawn to projects that transform and elevate their surroundings. His work often focuses on urban infill and destination properties that catalyze new energy for neighborhoods and communities. Today, he leads projects varying in size and complexity, bringing a strategic perspective to how hospitality experiences continue to evolve. A frequent collaborator and industry voice, Rob champions the idea of the 21st-century hotel as more than a place to stay. He envisions hospitality destinations as dynamic gathering places—integrated with restaurants, retail, meeting venues, and residential environments—to create memorable and authentic places for both travelers and local communities.

Tracy K. Vasquez is a Managing Director and Market Executive at Wells Fargo Bank, leading strategy and growth for the firm’s Hotel Franchise Finance platform within Specialized Industries. She oversees a national business focused on delivering tailored capital solutions and serving as a strategic partner to premier hotel owners, operators, and sponsors across the United States. Hotel Franchise Finance is a national lending platform that supports experienced, multi-unit owner-operators of branded hotels—including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Hyatt—through customized real estate financing solutions designed to support acquisitions, development, and long-term portfolio growth. With more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate and hospitality finance, Tracy brings deep industry expertise and a proven track record of leadership. She has held senior roles in hotel franchise lending at MUFG, Western Alliance Bank, and GE Capital, and throughout her career has been instrumental in structuring complex financing solutions and advising clients across multiple economic cycles. Tracy holds a bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, an MBA with an emphasis in Finance and Leadership from Arizona State University, and her CCIM designation.

As OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group’s president and CEO, Jeff Wagoner oversees the company’s global portfolio of hotels, resorts, vacation condominiums and retail operations, steering the brand's direction, growth and strategic priorities. Before joining OUTRIGGER in 2018, Wagoner was EVP of hotel operations for Trump Hotel Group. He held several roles with Wyndham Hotel Group, including president of Wyndham Hotel Group’s management company and EVP of brand and customer services for Wyndham’s hotel brands. He also served as president of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and SVP of operations at the former Wyndham International, overseeing more than 100 Wyndham and Wyndham Garden hotels. Additionally, he worked with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Doubletree and Marriott International. Wagoner is a founding member of the Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance and serves on the boards of American Hotel & Lodging Association and Hawai‘i Business Roundtable. He advises the University of Hawai‘i’s School of Travel Industry Management and supports UH sports through ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue. He is also on the board of governors for Chaminade University and the executive leadership team for the American Heart Association. Recent accolades include Person of the Year by Lodging Magazine, Asia-Pacific Hotelier of the Year by HM Magazine and Hospitality Executive of the Year by Pacific Edge Magazine.

Jared Walker, President of InterMountain Renovations, leads a multidisciplinary team of project managers, interior designers, procurement specialists, and support staff. He began his career as a project manager and advanced through the organization, gaining hands-on experience in every stage of the renovation and development process. Today, he directs the company’s growth strategy and oversees projects from initial concept to final completion. With a background in capital expenditures and asset management for InterMountain Management’s portfolio of 80 hotels, Jared brings a distinct ownership perspective to every project. He is recognized for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to deliver projects on time, on budget, and in full alignment with brand standards—qualities that have earned him the trust of owners, operators, and brand partners alike. Under Jared’s leadership, what began as a renovation-focused business, has evolved into a full-service partner for the hospitality industry, offering expertise in interior design, procurement, and project management for both renovations and new builds. This growth, combined with the company’s unique experience as hotel owners and operators, allows the team to approach every project with both operational insight and execution excellence—delivering spaces that balance design, functionality, and long-term value. A licensed contractor and graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a degree in Business, Jared is committed to excellence in every detail. Above all, he is passionate about building strong partnerships and helping clients bring their vision to life.

Chantell Walsh is the Vice President of Design & Construction at Strategic Hotels & Resorts, where she oversees the creative direction and construction development for the company’s leading luxury portfolio. With a degree in architecture, Chantell is experienced in all phases of design management, from concept design through final execution, and has a proven track record of repositioning luxury assets to maximize value and guest experience. She is adept at managing complex projects, guiding them through each phase with precision and efficiency. In addition to her expertise in design, she plays an integral role in capital deployment strategies, ensuring projects align with investment goals. Walsh also leads the selection and coordination of design teams, fostering collaboration to ensure elite design standards are met. Her ability to balance creative vision with strategic financial oversight has made her a key leader in the transformation of high- end properties across the portfolio.

Bob Webster is the Vice Chairman and President of CBRE Hotels Institutional Group and specializes in high-value investment sales in the United States. Bob has 46 years of diverse experience in high-value hotels from working at the Plaza Hotel, to hotel consulting with Laventhol & Horwath, to Director of Real Estate for Ritz Carlton, to over 40 years in hotel real estate. In his extraordinary career, Bob has sold over 250 hotels totaling over 60,000 rooms for $25 billion. Bob is widely recognized as one of the top hotel brokers in the world and is a two-time recipient of the Jack A. Shaffer Financial Advisor of the Year Award given to the top hotel investment sales professional in the lodging industry.

Before founding Castle Peak and Trailborn Hotels & Resorts, Ben spent his career investing in platforms and advising businesses at Goldman Sachs, TPG ($229 billion under management), and Sixth Street ($115 billion under management). He has worked on over $10 billion of transactions in commercial real estate, restructurings, private equity, and early-stage equity investments. Ben is a graduate of Middlebury College. When Ben gets outside, you’ll find him hiking in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains with his wife Caroline and their son James, or fly fishing on the Eagle River. Ben is a member of the Investment Committee.

Mark Williams is Managing Director Franchise Development for Extended Stay America, a leader in the extended stay segment for over 30 years. Joining ESA in 2020, Mark is responsible for building the brand through franchising, which the company started in 2018. A hospitality professional for over 30 years, he spent 20 of those with Best Western International. Mark is a graduate of The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business with a B.S.B.A in Marketing.

Vanessa is the Founder and Principal of Pivotal Hotel Advisors, a hospitality asset management consulting and investment firm headquartered in Miami, FL. Since the company’s founding in 2018, Pivotal has managed a diverse portfolio of over 50 full service, luxury, resort and select service hotels with 9,000 keys with an estimated gross asset value of $1.4B. With the childhood dream of owning her own hotel, Vanessa began her hospitality career working as a front desk agent and restaurant server at a boutique hotel in Boston, while completing her undergraduate degree at Babson College. Today, after nearly two decades of varied experience spanning operations and private equity, Vanessa leverages her passion for hospitality and sharp attention to detail to help a range of clients maximize their investment goals. Prior to founding Pivotal Hotel Advisors, Ms. Williams held asset management roles with leading private equity, investment and management groups including Highgate Hotels, after beginning her career as a valuation and feasibility consultant for HVS in Singapore. Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Babson College and serves on the board of PlasticFreeRestaurants.org, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the plastic crisis.

David Wilner serves as Chief Development Officer for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchisor with over 8,300 hotels across 25 brands. In his role, he oversees the Company’s North American Franchise Sales and Architecture, Design & Construction teams. Previously Senior Vice President, Franchise Development, he joined the Company in 2018 (following its acquisition of La Quinta), overseeing Wyndham’s limited-service, new construction brands—including the creation of ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham. Prior to Wyndham, he spent 20 years as part of the Franchise Sales leadership team for La Quinta.

Dina Winder brings 25+ years of experience in hospitality real estate with a demonstrated track record of driving superior results through active asset management and forging strategic partnerships. She is intensely focused on maximizing investor returns with an eye to the guest experience and executing value-add renovation and repositioning plans. Dina is currently Executive Vice President, Asset Management at Highgate, a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Dina was previously a Principal with Walton Street Capital in Chicago, focused on the asset management of $1+ billion of hotel and resort properties across the US. Prior to that, she held senior positions at Chartres Lodging Group and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Dina started her career at Bear Stearns in the Real Estate, Gaming, Lodging and Leisure Group in New York. Dina has a BS from Cornell University, an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and is a Certified Hotel Asset Manager (CHAM). She is currently President of the Board of Directors of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA), serves on AHLA’s ForWard Advisory Committee and is a committed champion of advancing women within the real estate and hospitality industries.

Shai Zelering is a Managing Partner and Global Head of Hospitality Investments in Brookfield’s Real Estate Group. In this role, he is responsible for strategic portfolio management, investments, asset management, large-scale capital deployment, and effective disposition strategies within the hospitality sector globally. Prior to joining Brookfield Properties in 2014, Mr. Zelering worked for a dedicated lodging private equity firm. He has significant experience in various roles in hotel operations. Mr. Zelering holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science degree from The School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. Mr. Zelering serves on the Board of Directors for Center Parcs in the U.K., Leela Palaces Hotels in India, and Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas.